Leadership capabilities that facilitate innovative culture in organisations

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.