The relationship between strategic leadership and innovation management: A qualitative research on automotive dealers

In the context of globalizing world conditions, innovative activities are offered as a solution proposal in order to keep up with the difficult competition conditions in international trade, developed and developing countries, increasing competitiveness and maintaining competitiveness. At this point, a great responsibility and tasks fall to senior managers in organizations. It is clear that there is a need for pioneering leaders who are open to change and innovation, strong foreseeable, think analytically, and able to set strategies for the future in the direction of the business vision. In this context, the main aim of the research is to reveal the relationship between strategic leadership practices and innovation management process. Research findings show that there is a positive relationship between strategic leadership practices and innovation management. Strategic leadership practices and innovation management processes were examined within the automotive sector, where competition is most intense. In this context 13 automotive dealers, each are leader in their own segment (passenger car, commercial vehicle, spare parts, authorized service, public transportation, etc.), selected by deliberate sampling method. Qualitative research method was used in the research. The data were obtained by conducting face-to-face- semi-structured interviews. The obtained data were analyzed by qualitative analysis methods -content analysis and descriptive analysis. As a result of the research; in the automotive sector, innovation activities and strategic leadership elements were detected. It was proven that there is a positive relationship between strategic leadership practices and the innovation management process. Key Words: Strategic Leadership, Strategic Leader, Innovation, Innovation Management.