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The multidisciplinary nature of the research on which this paper reports, made the choice of particular
disciplines and their underpinning theories challenging because of the potentially biased research
predispositions. As a consequence, the literature review covered conceptual areas deemed necessary for
planning and execution of the study conducted.
The broad field of management has been accommodating the increasing emphasis on innovation to
some extent. The body of knowledge on management has increasingly been influenced by the modern
knowledge-intensive organization and the need for change in management styles and practices to meet
new demands. In 1968, management sciences pioneer, Peter Drucker, introduced the concept of
discontinuity in organizations and challenged management to learn how to build and manage future
organizations as groups of humans capable of anticipating the future, converting vision into technology,
products and processes and willing and able to think for themselves [21]. In 2002, MIT Professor Clayton
Christensen referred to innovation as “the new science of success” and predicted that innovation would
become a new management discipline and profession [22].
Despite the pioneering contributions of authors like Drucker and Christensen to make managers aware
of the need for innovation in management practices, some managers have not yet been introduced to
better ways of managing innovation and they are feeling ill equipped to lead innovation [23].
Leaders in all organizations where new solutions need to be found and implemented, are affected.
Science-based organizations are also affected and leadership in such organizations have become a new
area of focus for some involved in providing business and executive education. At least one wellestablished educational institution acknowledged the need for new competencies and admits that they still
have to define what constitutes best practices, and to identify which kinds of leaders, governance and
organizational structures would be most appropriate for leaders in science-driven enterprises [24].
It may thus be argued that at conceptual level, the review of management practices has begun, while at
management practices level, the enhanced or improved practices have not yet been adequately studied,
tested and adopted. The literature review was thus used to reflect on current understanding of the concepts
of innovation, leadership, innovation leadership, competency and profile to serve as basis for developing
the innovation leadership competency profile, as further outlined below.