R&D Leadership Styles and Behaviors: A Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

R&D leaders are critical actors in creating and executing organizational R&D strategies and leading R&D departments. R&D leaders spearhead and manage innovation activities and efforts that are essential for organizational survival and growth. Despite the importance of the R&D leader role, there is a scant focus on R&D leadership styles and behaviors within the existing fragmented literature. Accordingly, in this article, the purpose is to address this deficit by examining R&D leadership styles and behaviors through a systematic literature review. Based on 60 articles, we identified three main themes: the influence of leadership style; R&D leader behaviors; and R&D leader human capital. We analyze and discuss these themes along with positing future research avenues for further understanding of R&D leaders and leadership.