Abstract:
Innovation remains a valued strategic lever for organisational growth and competitive
advantage and leadership continues to be seen as vitally important in driving innovation
however, there remains paucity on how leaders facilitate and engender a culture of innovation in organisations. This research was aimed at establishing the leadership
capabilities used by leaders to infuse and engender a culture of innovation. A qualitative
study based on 15 semi-structured interviews was conducted with senior managers in
innovative companies in both the public and private sector revealed that the extent to which
leaders are able to facilitate innovation is subject to the broad understanding of innovation
within the organisation, aligned and supportive organisational climate as well as the
existence of the supporting systems, structures and processes all working in concert. The
research further contributes to the body of knowledge by developing a conceptual
framework that aims to advance scholarly calls for leadership models specifically for
innovation. The research provides significant contribution in understanding leadership
capabilities that foster and engender innovation within a South African context. The
management implications from the study is a call for awareness in how organisational
design elements are structured to support strategic innovation initiatives.
