Understanding Strategic Skills of Managers for First-Time Leadership in Industry 4.0

Abstract

Strategic skills of managers, which are closely interrelated concept with organizations' performance, have effects on organizations' performance. In this context, this study aims to examine the role of strategic leadership skills of managers of manufacturing SMEs operating in Turkey in in perspective of first-time leadership in Industry 4.0 age. Two questionnaires were used to get data on a five-point Likert scale. The data were collected from 225 employees from SMEs. Data was analyzed with the help of SPSS (V.22.0.) program to apply Descriptive Analysis, Correlation Analysis and Regression Analysis. Results of the study revealed that strategic leadership skills of managers have important role in manufacturing SMEs for competitive advantage and sustainability. Finally, strategic leadership skills significantly can improve organization climate and performance of organizations. Therefore, the current study has vital importance for practitioners to enhance organization performance through leadership skills, organizational performance and organizational climate in Industry 4.0.