Inspiring Innovation: An exploration of leadership and creativity in New Zealand businesses and churches

Abstract

This study set out from the following three observations: that there is little research about innovation leadership in New Zealand; that existing writings rely heavily on research and theory from other places (especially Europe and the US); and that churches remain virtually unexplored in the literature on the topic of innovation leadership. In responding to this situation, the thesis addressed all three by a grounded theory inquiry to discover New Zealand church and business members’ narratives of leadership and innovation. The researcher utilised a grounded theory methodology in conducting interviews with individuals from five different New Zealand organisations, representing a small sample of church and business members. The thesis codified its findings into four leadership of innovation models, which were explored to reveal how they are embodied in the organisation and their impact on the innovative output of each church or business. Further, the researcher also uncovered innovation leadership actions that are present at each organisation, to develop the understanding of the regular practices and focuses of each leadership model. Finally, the thesis suggest ways forward for leadership and innovation in this country. The researcher’s aim and hope is that these new innovation models will contribute to the understanding of innovation leadership from a unique New Zealand perspective to give a benchmark for future research.