Exploring Leadership Styles and Their Impact on Innovation in TVET: Insights from a Systematic Analysis
Abstract
Objective: This study examines the influence of leadership styles on promoting innovation in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. The study addresses a notable research gap by identifying the leadership strategies that are most effective in fostering innovation within the swiftly changing educational and industrial environments. Method: The study used a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) technique organized by PRISMA criteria. Articles from peer-reviewed journals in the Scopus and ERIC databases, published between 2021 and 2024, were examined. A thorough search technique included specified keywords and Boolean operators, resulting in 659 articles, of which 36 were chosen following rigorous screening according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The analysis highlights transformational, inclusive, and innovative leadership styles as pivotal in fostering creativity, technological integration, and collaborative practices in the TVET area. Transformational leadership emerged as the most effective, emphasizing vision alignment and team empowerment. Inclusive and innovative leadership also demonstrated strong potential in enhancing institutional responsiveness to industry needs. Novelty: This study provides a comprehensive synthesis of the impact of leadership styles on innovation within TVET, addressing a critical gap in existing literature. It offers actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners to adopt leadership strategies that align educational outcomes with industry demands, ensuring institutional competitiveness and relevance.



Metrics
References
Abdullah, J. B., Hj Mohd Nor, Z., Haji Abd Hamid, A., Harun, N. H., Koswara, E. M. D., Mustapa, M. A., Saforrudin, N., & Ahmad, A. S. W. (2021). Development of TVET leadership model among leaders in TVET institutions. International Journal of Modern Education, 3(11), 77–92. https://doi.org/10.35631/IJMOE.311006
Abiddin, N. Z. (2024). A deep dive into leadership styles in shaping the higher education institution’s value and culture. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences, 22(2), 3854–3868. https://doi.org/10.57239/PJLSS-2024-22.2.00283
Abualoush, S., Obeidat, A. M., Abusweilema, M. A., & Khasawneh, M. M. (2022). How does entrepreneurial leadership promote innovative work behaviour? Through mediating role of knowledge sharing and moderating role of person-job fit. International Journal of Innovation Management, 26(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919622500116
Ahsan, M. J. (2024). Cultivating a culture of learning: The role of leadership in fostering lifelong development. The Learning Organization, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-03-2024-0099
Al-Husseini, S., El Beltagi, I., & Moizer, J. (2021). Transformational leadership and innovation: The mediating role of knowledge sharing amongst higher education faculty. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 24(5), 670–693. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2019.1588381
Al-Saadi, S., Al-Abri, A., Khairnnas, R., & Al-Shukaili, A. (2024). Analysis of skills needed by unemployed fresh graduates in business administration: Evidence from Oman. Review of Business and Economics Studies, 12(2), 17–27. https://doi.org/10.26794/2308-944x-2024-12-2-17-27
Alblooshi, M., Shamsuzzaman, M., & Haridy, S. (2020). The relationship between leadership styles and organisational innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(2), 310-323. https://doi.org/10.1108/ejim-11-2019-0339
Alblooshi, M., Shamsuzzaman, M., & Haridy, S. (2021). The relationship between leadership styles and organisational innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(2), 338–370. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-11-2019-0339
Aminu, T., Otokpen, O., Mmirikwe, I., Adetunde, O., Ajuwon, I., Adelakun, A., Salisu, A., Shuaib, F., Igbokwe, U., Aina, M., & Findings, K. (2023). Improving program outcomes through responsive feedback: A case study of a leadership development academy in Nigeria. Global Health: Science and Practice, 11(2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-22-00121
Barnes, E., & Gearin, C. (2022). How millennials approach leadership in higher education. Journal of Leadership Education, 21(1), 53–67. https://doi.org/10.12806/V21/I1/R4
Begum, S., Ashfaq, M., Xia, E., & Awan, U. (2022). Does green transformational leadership lead to green innovation? The role of green thinking and creative process engagement. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(1), 580–597. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2911
Burt, M. A., Fischer, E. V., Rasmussen, K. L., & Crosley Beem, K. (2023). Shifting the paradigm: Cultivating socially responsible atmospheric scientists through leadership and action. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 104(9), 1552–1563. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-22-0077.1
Carlo Torres, G., Ledbetter, L., Cantrell, S., Alomo, A. R. L., Blodgett, T. J., Bongar, M. V., Hatoum, S., Hendren, S., Loa, R., Montaña, S., Francis Sumile, E., Turner, K. M., & Relf, M. V. (2024). Adherence to PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines and scope of systematic reviews published in nursing: A cross‐sectional analysis. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 56(4), 531–541. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12969
Chanprasert, N., Chusorn, P., & Chantarasombat, C. (2023). Guidelines for innovative leadership development of private vocational college administrators in the northeastern region. World Journal of Education, 13(4), 25-36. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v13n4p25
Cui, F., Lim, H., & Song, J.-H. (2022). The influence of leadership style in China SMEs on enterprise innovation performance: The mediating roles of organizational learning. Sustainability, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063249
Derk, J., Dzirasa, K., & Locklear, T. (2023). A novel cross-institutional college internship program to train future diverse leaders in clinical research with data-driven approaches to assess impact. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1294535
Fang, Y., Dai, X., & Zhang, X. (2021). An empirical study of the relationship between inclusive leadership and business model innovation. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 42(3), 480–494. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-11-2019-0484
Fiernaningsih, N., Herijanto, P., & Trivena, S. M. (2022). How to improve employee performance based on transglobal leadership? Problems and Perspectives in Management, 20(3), 400–410. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.20(3).2022.32
Fiernaningsih, N., Herijanto, P., & Widayani, A. (2023). Role of innovative work behavior of vocational lecturers in Indonesia. Knowledge and Performance Management, 7(1), 104–114. https://doi.org/10.21511/kpm.07(1).2023.08
Figueroa, L. A., Castro, S. C., Cabrera, O. M., & Pino-Yancovic, M. (2023). Distributed leadership practices in vocational education and training: New ways of learning, teaching, and working. Psicoperspectivas, 22(3), 2949-2966. https://doi.org/10.5027/psicoperspectivas-Vol22-Issue3-fulltext-2949
Fischer, T., & Sitkin, S. B. (2023). Leadership styles: A comprehensive assessment and way forward. Academy of Management Annals, 17(1), 331–372. http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/annals.2020.0340
Fix, G. M., Rikkerink, M., Ritzen, H. T. M., Pieters, J. M., & Kuiper, W. A. J. M. (2021). Learning within sustainable educational innovation: An analysis of teachers’ perceptions and leadership practices. Journal of Educational Change, 22(1), 131–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-020-09410-2
Fries, A., Kammerlander, N., & Leitterstorf, M. (2021). Leadership styles and leadership behaviors in family firms: A systematic literature review. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 12(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfbs.2020.100374
Gachunga, M. N., Karanja, P., & Kihara, A. (2020). Leadership in technical vocational training: An analysis of the influence of leadership commitment on the competitiveness of TVET institutions in Kenya. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications (IJSRP), 10(12), 370-377 . https://doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.10.12.2020.P10839
Ghirmai, D. J. (2024). The relationship between principals’ leadership practices and students’ learning outcomes from a distributed perspective. European Journal of Educational Management, 7(1), 31–43. https://doi.org/10.12973/eujem.7.1.31
Grošelj, M., Černe, M., Penger, S., & Grah, B. (2021). 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
Hassan, N. F., & Sanusi, A. M. (2015). Implementation of innovation to improve leadership skills of TVET students. Journal of Education and Practice, 6, 85–87.
Herijanto, P., Fiernaningsih, N., Widayani, A., Fauzi, A., & Himmah, M. (2023). The influence of vocational lecturers’ work environment on innovative work behavior and creative self-efficacy. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 21(3), 408–417. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.21(3).2023.33
Hordieiev, V., Doskich, L., Kuderska, N., Lialiuk, O., & Chukhrai, L. (2023). Management of innovative processes in the educational environment. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 23(10), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i10.6181
Ismail, M. F. Bin, & Yasin, S. (2020). Leadership style in TVET education towards the 21st century. International Journal of Information Engineering and Electronic Business, 3, 31–37. https://doi.org/10.29138/ijieeb.v3i1.1080
Jafarov, S. (2024). Education policy of 3rd generation universities. Revista de Gestao Social e Ambiental, 18(6), 7-18. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n6-007
Jamali, A., Bhutto, A., Khaskhely, M., & Sethar, W. (2022). Impact of leadership styles on faculty performance: Moderating role of organizational culture in higher education. Management Science Letters, 12(1), 1–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2021.8.005
Jang, E. (2021). Sustainable workplace: Impact of authentic leadership on change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior and the moderating role of perceived employees’ calling. Sustainability, 13(15), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158542
Javed, B., Fatima, T., Khan, A. K., & Bashir, S. (2021). Impact of inclusive leadership on innovative work behavior: The role of creative self-efficacy. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 55(3), 769–782. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.487
Jiang, X., Wang, H., & Li, M. (2023). Facilitator or barrier? The double-edged effects of leader perfectionism on employee innovation behavior. The Journal of Social Psychology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2024.2368018
Kedir, K., & Geleta, A. (2017). Leading educational change: The practices of transformational leadership in the Ethiopian technical vocational education and training (TVET) institutions. Vocational and Technical Education, 9, 49–61. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJVTE2017.0233
Khan, M. A., Ismail, F., Hussain, A., & Alghazali, B. (2020). The interplay of leadership styles, innovative work behavior, organizational culture, and organizational citizenship behavior. SAGE Open, 10, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019898264
Lackéus, M. (2024). Work-learn balance – A new concept that could help bridge the divide between education and working life? Industry and Higher Education, 38(2), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1177/09504222231188076
Leroy, H., Buengeler, C., Veestraeten, M., Shemla, M., & Hoever, I. J. (2021). Fostering team creativity through team-focused inclusion: The role of leader harvesting the benefits of diversity and cultivating value-in-diversity beliefs. Group & Organization Management, 47(4), 798–839. https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011211009683
Liang, P. (2024). Leading the innovative development of higher vocational teachers in the new era with craftsmanship in the background of internet. Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences, 9(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.2478/amns.2023.2.01284
Limbong, M., Limbong, A. M. N., & Lumbantoruan, J. H. (2023). Benefits of school cultural leadership in dormitory life in student character development. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 23(13), 34–44. https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i13.6315
M Mohd Siraj, M. A., Rami, A. A., Omar, R., Abdul Aziz, N. A., & Mohd Anuar, M. A. (2023). The relationship between principals’ leadership towards TVET teachers’ motivation in implementing ICT. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 15(3), 79–91. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2023.15.03.008
Matu, J. B., & Rothwell, W. (2024). Redefining TVET leadership in Kenya: A case for transition from VNR to VLR and the integration of indigenous philosophies. Nordic Journal of Comparative and International Education, 8(3), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.7577/njcie.5820
Mesfin, M., & Niekerk, E. (2019). Leadership styles of the deans in Ethiopian governmental technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges. European Journal of Social Sciences, 515-530. https://doi.org/10.46827/EJSSS.V0I0.515
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
Michel, J. P., Ecarnot, F., Arai, H., & Chen, L. K. (2023). A novel online training programme for healthcare professionals caring for older adults. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 35(8), 1763–1769. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02464-1
Nishii, L. H., & Leroy, H. (2022). A multi-level framework of inclusive leadership in organizations. Group & Organization Management, 47(4), 683–722. https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011221111505
Nurlaili, N. (2023). Measuring the competitive-high quality graders of vocational school with leadership style: A case study in Samarinda. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 14(2), 142–167.
Nyamweru, J. C., Ndayitwayeko, W. M., Kessler, A., & Biemans, H. (2024). Fostering sustainable agriculture in Burundi: Which competencies for change-agents should vocational agriculture education prioritize? Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 30(3), 341–361. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2023.2205395
Ofstad, B., & Bartel-Radic, A. (2024). Cooperative learning through boundary spanning: How a corporate learning department ensures that trainers and content stay current. Management (France, 27(4), 114–129. https://doi.org/10.37725/mgmt.2024.9611
Osman, N. W., & Kamis, A. (2019). Innovation leadership for sustainable organizational climate in institutions of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Assessment in Teaching and Learning, 9(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.37134/AJATEL.VOL9.NO1.6.2019
Page, M., Moher, D., & McKenzie, J. (2021). Introduction to PRISMA 2020 and implications for research synthesis methodologists. Research Synthesis Methods, 13, 156–163. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.1535
Panto, I. L., Feliscuzo, L., & Pantaleon, C. B. (2024). Designing and implementing adaptive learning management system to improve programming proficiency: A study at AMA Computer Learning College (ACLC), Ormoc Campus. 2024 13th International Conference on Educational and Information Technology (ICEIT), 84–92. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEIT61397.2024.10540906
Papanai, R., & Poolkrajang, A. (2023). The High Vocational Innovation Scholarship Program: A TVET curriculum continuous quality improvement using feedback from stakeholders. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 15(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2023.15.04.001
Park, S., Kim, H. K., Lee, H. J., Choi, M., Lee, M., & Jakovljevic, M. (2023). Strategic management and organizational culture of medical device companies in relation to corporate performance. Journal of Medical Economics, 26(1), 781–792. https://doi.org/10.1080/13696998.2023.2224168
Pratama, A., Asto Buditjahjanto, I. G. P., & Samani, M. (2024). Relationship of organisational culture and leadership towards lecturer motivation in government vocational higher education. Obrazovanie i Nauka, 26(7), 70–87. https://doi.org/10.17853/1994-5639-2024-7-70-87
Prummer, K., Human-Vogel, S., & Pittich, D. (2024). Vocational education and training in South Africa: Leaders’ perceptions of a mentoring framework in a professional development programme. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education, 13(2), 195–213. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMCE-03-2023-0032
Prummer, K., Human-Vogel, S., Graham, M. A., & Pittich, D. (2024). The role of mentoring in developing leaders’ emotional intelligence: Exploring mentoring types, emotional intelligence, organizational factors, and gender. Frontiers in Education, 9, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1393660
Salter, B., Dong, Y., & Hunter, B. M. (2022). Constructing healthcare services markets: Networks, brokers and the China-England engagement. Globalization and Health, 18(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-022-00892-8
Samodien, M., du Plessis, M., & van Vuuren, C. J. (2024). Enhancing higher education performance: Transformational, transactional and agile leadership. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 22, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v22i0.2768
Seanchan, C., Sirisuthi, C., & Chantarasombat, C. (2024). Model development for adaptive leadership of division heads in technical colleges under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission. International Education Studies, 17(5), 9-22. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v17n5p9
Siswanto, E., Samsudi, Supraptono, E., & Sutopo, Y. (2024). The role of psychological security climate, leadership, and self-efficacy on teachers' capability through knowledge management. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 13(1), 390–397. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v13i1.25808
Sutiyatno, S., Santoso, K. I., & Susilo, G. (2022). The role of innovation leadership in teacher commitment: A study of organizational culture. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 8(3), 595–607. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.8.3.595
Suyudi, Nugroho, B. S., El Widdah, M., Suryana, A. T., Ibrahim, T., Humaira, M. A., Nasrudin, M., Mubarok, M. S., Abadi, M. T., Adisti, A. R., Fahlevi, M., & Sudargini, Y. (2020). Effect of leadership style toward Indonesian education performance in Education 4.0 era: A schematic literature review. Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy, 11(10), 371–378. https://doi.org/10.31838/srp.2020.10.60
Tan, A. B. C., van Dun, D. H., & Wilderom, C. P. M. (2024). Lean innovation training and transformational leadership for employee creative role identity and innovative work behavior in a public service organization. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 15(8), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-06-2022-0126
Tang, L., Shi, M., Liu, Y., Liu, Y., & Yang, B. (2024). Building a committed workforce: The synergistic effects of coaching leadership, organizational self-esteem, and learning goal orientation. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1423540
Tang, Y., Wareewanich, T., & Yue, X. G. (2023). The impact of organizational inclusion on teachers’ internal motivation for professional development in vocational colleges: The case of China. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 21(3), 138–152. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.21(3).2023.11
Torres-Mancera, R., Martínez-Rodrigo, E., & Santos, C. A. (2023). Female sustainability and startups: Analysis of the leadership in communication by women entrepreneurs in Spain and Portugal. Revista Latina de Comunicación Social, 2023(81), 474–491. https://doi.org/10.4185/RLCS-2023-1978
Wei, C., Prasansaph, W., & Boonphadung, S. (2024). Model of competency development of professional group leaders (PGL) in higher vocational colleges in Fujian province. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(8), 8062-8074. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i8.8062
Widodo, Mahmudah, F. N., Roemintoyo, Sivapalan, S., & Setyawan, B. (2022). Future leadership capacity for VET with the various demands. Pegem Eğitim ve Öğretim Dergisi, 13(1), 156–167. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.13.01.18
Widodo, W., & Ciptaningsih, E. M. S. S. (2023). How do employability, personality, and talent management affect lecturers’ organizational citizenship behavior? International Journal of Educational Methodology, 9(3), 463–476. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.9.3.463
Wijaya, A. S. G. (2024). The role of leadership in driving organizational innovation and adaptation in the era of technological disruption. Transforma Jurnal Manajemen, 2(2), 183–192. https://doi.org/10.56457/tjm.v2i2.148
Wilson, A. B., Bay, B. H., Byram, J. N., Carroll, M. A., Finn, G. M., Hammer, N., Hildebrandt, S., Krebs, C., Wisco, J. J., & Organ, J. M. (2024). Journal recommended guidelines for systematic review and meta-analyses. Anatomical Sciences Education, 17(7), 1392–1395. https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.2500
Wu, S. M. (2023). The relationship between emotional intelligence of school principals, psychological climate, and teacher motivation. International Journal of Emotional Education, 15(2), 71–85. https://doi.org/10.56300/EELR3418
Xie, Y., Xue, W., Li, L., Wang, A., Chen, Y., Zheng, Q., Wang, Y., & Li, X. (2018). Leadership style and innovation atmosphere in enterprises: An empirical study. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TECHFORE.2018.05.017
Copyright (c) 2025 IJORER : International Journal of Recent Educational Research

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


