The Influence of transformational leadership on sustainable innovation practices in manufacturing

Abstract

In recent years the focus within the business landscape has drastically moved towards sustainability efforts, becoming a necessity for survival and longevity in the corporate space. To be more sustainable and competitive, companies are investing in innovative and creative ideas as the market is becoming increasingly competitive, with uncertainty heightened by globalization, modernisation, environmental focus, and continuous technological enhancement. This study explores how transformational leadership influences the adoption of sustainable innovation practices in South African manufacturing, addressing gaps in qualitative understanding of how leaders and employees experience and enact these processes. A qualitative approach was used to explore the lived experiences of leaders and employees in the manufacturing sector and how transformational leadership influences sustainable innovation practices. The research aimed to understand the influence transformational leadership has on sustainable innovation practices and contributes to transformational leadership theory by focusing on its role in manufacturing organizations. The study confirms that transformational leadership encourages sustainable innovation within manufacturing organisations and influences innovation through its core dimensions: intellectual stimulation, vision sharing, individualised consideration, and recognition, creating psychologically safe conditions for innovation and supporting the integration of sustainability into organisational practices.