Management and leadership paradigms in the transition to carbon farming under digitalization: the case of southeast Europe and Bulgaria

Abstract

The accelerated transition towards sustainable agriculture and the implementation of the objectives of the European Green Deal position carbon farming (CF) among the key instruments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the climate resilience of the agricultural sector. Its successful implementation requires not only the adoption of modern digital technologies, but also the adaptation of managerial and leadership approaches to the conditions of digital transformation.
The aim of the study is to analyse the role of managerial and leadership paradigms in the transition towards CF under the conditions of digitalisation, with a focus on Bulgaria and Southeast Europe. The main objectives are related to examining the impact of digital technologies on CF, identifying regional barriers, and determining appropriate leadership approaches for the successful management of change. The main thesis is that the success of CF depends not only on technological development, but above all on leadership capacity to manage change, build trust, and develop digital competencies.
The study is conducted through a theoretical, comparative, and critical analysis of academic literature, European strategic documents, and recent research in the fields of CF, digitalisation, and leadership.
The results show that technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems are a necessary prerequisite for the development of CF, but they are not sufficient without appropriate leadership. The study argues that the combination of visionary and coaching leadership styles, supported by a high level of emotional intelligence, is the most appropriate approach for the successful implementation and sustainable development of CF.