International Journal of Sport Management

The Effects of Transformational Leadership on Innovational Climates in National Sport Organizations

Kyu Ha Choi, Becca Leopkey

Abstract: Transformational leadership is known to be appropriate for promoting an organization’s innovative climate. This paper studies the impact of transformational leadership on a national sport organization’s (NSO) innovation climate by examining the executive-level leadership of the Korea Ice Hockey Association (KIHA). A qualitative case study was built using 16 semi-structured interviews and related archival materials. The KIHA’s new leaders demonstrated the key attributes of transformational leadership, particularly in role modeling, intellectual stimulation, articulating a common vision, maintaining accessibility and open communications, fostering team chemistry, establishing high performance expectations, and providing individualized assistance to stimulate change. These attributes facilitated the creation of an innovation climate by developing shared goals and a collaborative environment, motivating with necessary resources, and encouraging members to be proactive and assume expanded roles. Establishing such a climate is important for NSOs with a relatively low level of experience because organizations are urged to make course-corrective decisions quickly.

Keywords: leadership, innovative climate, sport governing bodies, event hosting

Citation: Choi, K. H., & Leopkey, B. (2024). The effects of transformational leadership on innovational climates in national sport organizations. International Journal of Sport Management, 25(2), 101-133.

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