Transformational Principal Leadership and the Development of an Innovation Culture in Secondary Schools: A Systematic Literature Review

Tri Anasari; Sutama; Achmad Fathoni

doi:10.63922/ijevss.v5i03.4012

Tri Anasari Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Indonesia
Sutama Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Indonesia
Achmad Fathoni Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63922/ijevss.v5i03.4012

Keywords: Innovation culture, School principal, Transformational Leadership, SLR

Abstract

This study is motivated by the importance of innovation in 21st-century education, which requires schools to adapt to technological changes and dynamic learning environments. However, the implementation of an innovation culture in schools still varies considerably. As leaders, school principals play a strategic role in creating an environment that supports innovation, particularly through transformational leadership. This study aims to analyze the role of principals’ transformational leadership in developing an innovation culture in secondary schools. This research employed a qualitative method using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach toward scientific journal articles published within the last five years (2021–2026). The data were collected from Google Scholar and indexed international journal databases and were analyzed using thematic synthesis. The findings indicate that transformational leadership plays a significant role in building an innovation culture through the dimensions of inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. This study concludes that principals who implement transformational leadership are able to create a sustainable innovation culture that contributes to improving the quality of learning.

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