Towards modern leadership styles in the context of the engineering sector

Abstract

This study investigates leadership styles in the engineering sector of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), addressing a notable gap in existing research. It systematically reviews 100 research articles, highlighting the significance of effective leadership in surmounting the distinctive challenges encountered by SMEs in this industry. The study delivers valuable perspective on the effective leadership styles for fostering success and growth in engineering SMEs and indicates a paradigm shift in the type of leadership practiced in the past and present. Synthesis of the findings reveals that there are only a few research studies done in engineering sectors, while leadership styles are a complex concept that cannot be easily categorized or ranked. There is also a predominance of quantitative approaches, while a dearth of qualitative analyses and the need for triangulation methods in leadership studies within SMEs. The paper suggests integrating qualitative research and triangulation to enhance understanding of effective leadership. The study presents the effectiveness of leadership styles in engineering sectors and their contribution to the development and progression of the industry in the modern context. It provides a foundation for future studies and presents a sequence diagram model, aiming to deepen insights into leadership dynamics in engineering SMEs, crucial for their growth and innovation.