The Role of Leadership in Driving Performance and Sustainability in Social Enterprises: A Qualitative Systematic Literature Review of Theoretical and Empirical Insights
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70142/jbl.v2i2.64Keywords:
Social enterprise leadership, Organizational performance, Sustainability, Environmental performance, Transformational leadership, Systematic literature reviewAbstract
This study examines the role of leadership in driving organizational performance and sustainability within social enterprises through a qualitative systematic literature review of theoretical and empirical studies published up to 2024. Drawing on leadership theories such as transformational, servant, and ethical leadership, the review synthesizes how leadership practices influence both financial and social value creation. The findings reveal that effective leadership in social enterprises is characterized by mission alignment, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to balance dual objectives of economic viability and social impact. Furthermore, leadership contributes to long term sustainability by fostering innovation, resilience, and adaptive governance mechanisms. The review also highlights contextual factors, including institutional environments and resource constraints, that shape leadership effectiveness. This study provides integrative insights for scholars and practitioners seeking to enhance leadership strategies in hybrid organizational settings.
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