BRIDGING LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION: MAPPING THE EVIDENCE ON TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOR

Purbo Jadmiko; Ade Irma  Anggraeni; Ratno  Purnomo

doi:10.62207/91sz7h07

Authors

Purbo Jadmiko University of Jenderal Soedirman Author
Ade Irma Anggraeni University of Jenderal Soedirman Author
Ratno Purnomo University of Jenderal Soedirman Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62207/91sz7h07

Keywords:

Transformational leadership, Innovative work behavior, Systematic review, Organizational innovation, Leadership effectiveness

Abstract

This systematic literature review synthesizes empirical evidence on the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior (IWB) across organizational contexts. Analyzing 11 high-quality studies from Scopus Q1 and Q2 journals (2018-2023), we identified three key findings: First, transformational leadership consistently enhances IWB through psychological empowerment, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. Second, the strength of this relationship depends on mediators (trust, knowledge sharing) and moderators (work environment, cultural context). Third, measurement approaches for IWB vary significantly across sectors, with most studies employing quantitative methods such as the Innovation Behavior Inventory. The review reveals important geographical patterns, with substantial contributions from Asian researchers. We highlight critical gaps in current research, including inconsistent operationalization of IWB and insufficient attention to sector-specific dynamics. Our findings suggest that organizations can foster innovation by developing transformational leaders while creating supportive environments. Future research should focus on developing cross-cultural IWB measures and examining underrepresented sectors. This study contributes to leadership and innovation literature by providing a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for understanding how transformational leadership drives workplace innovation.

References

Afsar, B. and Umrani, W. (2019). Transformational leadership and innovative work behavior. European Journal of Innovation Management, 23(3), 402-428. https://doi.org/10.1108/ejim-12-2018-0257

Afsar, B., & Masood, M. (2018). Transformational Leadership, Creative Self-Efficacy, Trust in Supervisor, Uncertainty Avoidance, and Innovative Work Behavior of Nurses. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 54(1), 36–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886317711891

Afsar, B., Badir, Y., & Saeed, B. (2014). Transformational leadership and innovative work behavior. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 114(8), 1270-1300. https://doi.org/10.1108/imds-05-2014-0152

AlEssa, H. and Durugbo, C. (2021). Systematic review of innovative work behavior concepts and contributions. Management Review Quarterly, 72(4), 1171-1208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-021-00224-x

Alobeidli, S., Ahmad, S., & Jabeen, F. (2024). Mediating effects of knowledge sharing and employee creativity on the relationship between visionary leadership and innovative work behavior. Management Research Review, 47(6), 883-903. https://doi.org/10.1108/mrr-02-2023-0144

Bracht, E. M., Monzani, L., Boer, D., Haslam, S. A., Kerschreiter, R., Lemoine, J. E., Steffens, N. K., Akfirat, S. A., Avanzi, L., Barghi, B., Dumont, K., Edelmann, C. M., Epitropaki, O., Fransen, K., Giessner, S., Gleibs, I. H., González, R., Laguía González, A., Lipponen, J., … van Dick, R. (2023). Innovation across cultures: Connecting leadership, identification, and creative behavior in organizations. Applied Psychology, 72(1), 348–388. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.1238 1

Charli, C., Masnum, A., Hidayat, R., Menhard, M., & Hartoyo, B. (2023). Interpretation innovative work behavior and transformational leadership: analysis work engagement and work environment on dinas pariwisata kota padang. Journal of Accounting and Finance Management, 3(6), 318-333. https://doi.org/10.38035/jafm.v3i6.173

Coun, M., Edelbroek, R., Peters, P., & Blomme, R. (2021). Leading innovative work-behavior in times of covid-19: relationship between leadership style, innovative work-behavior, work-related flow, and it-enabled presence awareness during the first and second wave of the covid-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.717345

Grošelj, M., Černe, M., Penger, S., & Grah, B. (2020). Authentic and transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour: the moderating role of psychological empowerment. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(3), 677–706. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-10-2019-0294

Günzel-Jensen, F., Hansen, J. R., Jakobsen, M. L. F., & Wulff, J. (2018). A Two-Pronged Approach? Combined Leadership Styles and Innovative Behavior. International Journal of Public Administration, 41(12), 957–970. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2017.1303711

Jadmiko, P., Pratama, P., & Huddin, M. N. (2025). Mapping the Research Landscape: A Bibliometric Analysis of Innovative Work Behavior and Leadership Trends. JMB: Jurnal Manajemen Dan Bisnis, 14(1), 1–12.

Karimi, S., Ahmadi Malek, F., Yaghoubi Farani, A., & Liobikienė, G. (2023). The Role of Transformational Leadership in Developing Innovative Work Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Employees’ Psychological Capital. Sustainability (Switzerland) , 15(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021267

Khan, M., Ismail, F., Hussain, A., & Al‐Ghazali, B. (2020). The interplay of leadership styles, innovative work behavior, organizational culture, and organizational citizenship behavior. Sage Open, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019898264

Li, H., Sajjad, N., Wang, Q., Ali, A. M., Khaqan, Z., & Amina, S. (2019). Influence of transformational leadership on employees’ innovative work behavior in sustainable organizations: Test of mediation and moderation processes. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(6), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061594

Lukeš, M. and Stephan, U. (2017). Measuring employee innovation. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 23(1), 136-158. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr-11-2015-0262

Messmann, G., Evers, A., & Kreijns, K. (2022). The role of basic psychological needs satisfaction in the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 33(1), 29–45. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.21451

Purwanto, A., Purba, J. T., Bernarto, I., & Sijabat, R. (2023). Investigating the role digital transformation and human resource management on the performance of the universities. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 7(4), 2013–2028. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ijdns.2023.6.011

Rafique, M. A., Hou, Y., Chudhery, M. A. Z., Waheed, M., Zia, T., & Chan, F. (2022). Investigating the impact of pandemic job stress and transformational leadership on innovative work behavior: The mediating and moderating role of knowledge sharing. Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2022.100214

Reuvers, M., Engen, M., Vinkenburg, C., & Wilson‐Evered, E. (2008). Transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour: exploring the relevance of gender differences. Creativity and Innovation Management, 17(3), 227-244. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8691.2008.00487.x

Santoso, H., Abdinagoro, S. B., & Arief, M. (2019). The role of digital literacy in supporting performance through innovative work behavior: The case of indonesia’s telecommunications industry. International Journal of Technology, 10(8), 1558–1566. https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v10i8.3432

Tan, A. B. C., Van Dun, D. H., & Wilderom, C. P. M. (2021). Innovative work behavior in Singapore evoked by transformational leaders through innovation support and readiness. Creativity and Innovation Management, 30(4), 697–712. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12462

Thalia, H. and Harsanti, I. (2023). Hubungan transformational leadership dengan innovative work behavior pada karyawan milenial. Jurnal Ilmiah Global Education, 4(4), 2099-2110. https://doi.org/10.55681/jige.v4i4.1335

Wojtczuk‐Turek, A. and Turek, D. (2016). The significance of perceived social-organization climate for creating employees’ innovativeness. Management Research Review, 39(2), 167-195. https://doi.org/10.1108/mrr-11-2015-0268