Digital leadership has become increasingly vital for organizational transformation and innovation in the evolving digital era. With the active spread of digital technologies and remote work, concepts such as electronic leadership and virtual leadership have become popular. It is ambiguous whether these concepts have the same meaning and essence.

The author emphasizes the major results of the theoretical and comparative study as well as provides the results of the exploratory research among students in the economics and business management programme in Russia. It investigates how business and management students understand, interpret, and assess their preparedness for leadership roles in a digitalized world.

This research uses a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative (survey, n=501) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews, n=8) data. The author summarizes the results and emphasizes that Russian students define the importance of digital leadership, though they have a fragmentary and blurred understanding of the leadership concepts.

The author discusses the implications and provides recommendations for further studies. It emphasizes the need for curriculum innovation to prepare future business leaders in the digital landscape. He recommends including case-based learning and practical training to bridge the knowledge gap.

Keywords: Digital leadership, business education, management, exploratory research, student perception, e-leadership, virtual leadership.