MUST HAVE OR NICE TO HAVE? NECESSARY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES TO ENABLE EMPLOYEES’ INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

Encouraging employees’ innovative behaviour (EIB) is one of the most important leadership tasks and numerous studies have examined the relationships between leadership and EIB. However, the research field is highly fragmented and does not provide a clear answer as to which leadership competencies are actually crucial for EIB. To address this issue, we use a qualitative content analysis to examine which leadership competencies are characterised in the literature as necessary for EIB. In doing so, we also turn away from broad leadership styles and adopt a behavioural-focussed competency approach. The results show that only a very small number of the many leadership competencies that seem to support EIB are considered necessary prerequisites for EIB. Based on the results, we present seven theoretical propositions and a concise model of leadership competencies necessary for EIB. In particular, we propose that the leadership competencies of providing support, communicating a vision, granting autonomy and discretion, and providing feedback are necessary conditions to enable EIB.