Leadership as a micro-innovation in new business models in the era of platformization and entrepreneurship 5.0

The contemporary business environment is characterized by accelerated digital transformation, the development of platform economies and the emergence of new business models based on technology, network interactions and flexible forms of organization. Under such conditions, the role of leadership is also changing, as leadership is increasingly viewed as an important factor in organizational adaptation, innovation and the development of employees’ digital competences. The aim of this paper is to analyze, on the basis of a review of relevant literature, leadership, with a particular focus on transformational leadership, as a micro-innovation that contributes to the development and implementation of new business models in the context of platformization and Entrepreneurship 5.0. The methodological approach is based on a narrative literature review and a conceptual synthesis of studies in the fields of leadership, organizational culture, innovation, digital competences and the digital economy. The findings of the literature review indicate that transformational leadership may play a significant role in encouraging innovative behavior, developing an organizational culture that supports change, strengthening employee engagement and connecting digital competences with the innovative capabilities of an organization. The paper proposes a conceptual framework in which leadership is viewed as a micro-innovation and an integrative mechanism between digital competences, organizational culture, employee engagement and the development of new business models. It is concluded that the development of leadership competences in the digital environment represents an important prerequisite for the adaptability, sustainability and competitiveness of contemporary organizations.