A review of the relationship between leadership style and innovation : insights and directions for future research

Rastogi, L; Yazdifar, H; Alam, MA; Eskandari, R; Al Bahloul, M

Abstract

This paper aims to critically reflect on the available literature on leadership style and innovation, and especially to assess the linkages between these variables. It starts with an overview of leadership studies, tracing the historical emergence and development of leadership theories, from the Great Man theory, trait theory and leader behaviour theory to situational and contingency theories of leadership. It then delves deeply into the transformational theory, owing to the vast amount of research focus that appears to be dedicated to this theory. The paper critically analyses the scope of transformational theory, and explores the gaps that may need refinement in order for the theory to remain relevant in the current, 21st century, business environment. The paper also discusses innovation theory and literature related to different perspectives on innovations, including the radical and disruptive views, the ambidextrous perspective, design thinking, open, lean and horizontal models, and their impacts on organisational performance. The paper finally turns to explore the linkages between managing innovation.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 4, 2020
• Online Publication Date: May 27, 2020
• Publication Date: May 27, 2020
• Deposit Date: Feb 5, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: May 27, 2021
• Journal: Journal for Global Business Advancement
• Print ISSN: 1746-966X
• Electronic ISSN: 1746-9678
• Publisher: Inderscience
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/JGBA.2019.107520
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1504/JGBA.2019.107520
• Related Public URLs: https://www.inderscience.com/jhome.php?jcode=jgba