The Role of Leadership Style in Fostering Innovation Culture in Dubai Government Organisations

Abstract

Leadership and innovation have been two key areas of research over the last decade. Innovation is crucial in organisational survival and growth, and it is a force of change in today’s competitive market. To be competitive in the global market, especially in the public sector, organisations must adopt innovative approaches to service delivery, governance and operational efficiency. Innovation is identified as a critical element for the success of an organisation. Effective leadership is essential in driving innovation within organisations, still the role of leadership style to foster innovation and encourage experimentation are still not fully understood. While considerable research has been conducted globally, studies examining the association between leadership style and innovation in the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai government organisations, is still rare. Accordingly, this study seeks to address the following research question: How do leadership styles foster a culture of innovation within Dubai government organisations? As a conceptual paper, this study adopts a synthesis approach, drawing on existing regional and global literature to develop a theoretical foundation, identify research gaps, and propose directions for future empirical study. The research aims to shed light on the vital role of leadership style in fostering a culture of innovation in Dubai government organisations, with specific focus on how leadership styles foster a culture that support experimentation, innovation, and continuous improvement. The research highlights innovation initiatives implemented by Dubai government organisations, examining how leadership has driven initiatives, for example the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation, and the Dubai Future Accelerators to promote digital transformation, agile governance, and promote a culture of experimentation. The research addresses the persistent barriers to innovation commonly faced by Dubai government organisations, including bureaucratic inertia, rigid hierarchies, and resistance to change. In addition, the study offers practical recommendations to the public sector to help overcome the challenges through strategic leadership practises, capability building, and supportive policy frameworks. Finally, the underlying mechanisms and determinants of effective leadership style and its impact on innovation are critical to understand, as the existing literature tends to focus on leadership style practices, rather than its drivers. This research offers practical guidance for leaders to create a culture of innovation within the Dubai government organisations.