THE ROLE OF INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP IN FOSTERING INNOVATION: A FOCUSED REVIEW OF THE RESEARCH LITERATURE

Abstract

Innovation performance is a crucial element for organizational success in today's intensely competitive business environment. However, low success rates in innovation processes can negatively affect many organizational outcomes, reducing the effective use of resources and customer satisfaction. Innovation requires both an organizational climate that supports employees who are supportive, diverse and offer innovative solutions and suggestions through different information channels, and also a leadership practice that ensures the formation of this climate. In this context, inclusive leadership, which creates a sense of trust, respect, and belonging among followers, can significantly contribute to increasing innovation performance. This study aims to examine the relationship between innovation and inclusive leadership within studies that provide empirical results. To achieve this, studies containing the keywords innovation and inclusive leadership were identified in the Web of Science database. The studies were categorized based on several factors, including the author, publication date, type of research, sample size, and variables. The results of empirical studies on innovation and inclusive leadership are shared. This study is expected to increase awareness of inclusive leadership practices in increasing innovation performance in businesses. Additionally, it expands the literature by presenting empirical studies on the relationship between innovation and inclusive leadership.