Empowering innovation: the role of female transformational leadership and intellectual capital

This study examines the complex relationships between female transformational leadership, intellectual capital, and innovation. It addresses a gap in the existing literature by focusing on the specific contributions of female leaders to intellectual capital and innovative outcomes. A structured questionnaire was distributed to participants via Prolific’s online platform over four weeks in April and May 2023. Out of 878 submissions, 492 were from participants with female supervisors and 354 from those with male supervisors. The conceptual model was evaluated using the SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 4 – simple mediation model). The findings reveal that while female transformational leadership indirectly boosts incremental innovation through intellectual capital, it has both direct and indirect effects on radical innovation. Intellectual capital acts as a central mediator, translating leadership qualities into innovative practices and organizational value creation. Overall, the study offers new insights into the strategic importance of gender diversity in leadership roles. By highlighting the distinctive abilities of female leaders to foster inclusive, trust-based, and collaborative environments, the research provides meaningful theoretical contributions and practical implications for organizations aiming to enhance innovation through effective leadership and sustained intellectual capital development. These results inform policy makers and support ongoing debates on equitable leadership representation worldwide today.