Transformational leadership and its impact on educational innovation in Ecuador: a systematic review

IntroductionThis study explores the impact of transformational leadership on educational innovation in Ecuador. Given the current demand for pedagogical transformation, transformational leadership has emerged as a key driver of innovation through practices such as inspirational motivation and ideali...

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Main Authors: Kenya Roxana Román-Cortéz, Juan Tarquino Calderón Cisneros, Carlos Alcívar Trejo, María Paula Calderon Chapín
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1630004/full
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author Kenya Roxana Román-Cortéz
Juan Tarquino Calderón Cisneros
Carlos Alcívar Trejo
María Paula Calderon Chapín
author_facet Kenya Roxana Román-Cortéz
Juan Tarquino Calderón Cisneros
Carlos Alcívar Trejo
María Paula Calderon Chapín
author_sort Kenya Roxana Román-Cortéz
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study explores the impact of transformational leadership on educational innovation in Ecuador. Given the current demand for pedagogical transformation, transformational leadership has emerged as a key driver of innovation through practices such as inspirational motivation and idealized influence. However, existing literature shows gaps in rural applications and long-term assessments.MethodsA systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, and a bibliometric analysis was performed using the Bibliometrix R-package. Peer-reviewed academic articles published between 2018 and 2024 were retrieved from indexed databases. The inclusion criteria focused on studies examining the relationship between transformational leadership and innovation in educational processes.ResultsFindings reveal a positive correlation between transformational leadership practices-particularly inspirational motivation and idealized influence-and the implementation of educational technologies and disruptive pedagogical methodologies. The review also highlights research gaps, particularly the lack of studies in rural contexts and limited longitudinal evaluations.DiscussionThe results underscore the importance of transformational leadership in fostering innovation in educational settings. Addressing the identified gaps may strengthen leadership strategies and support sustainable development in the education sector. This article offers a comprehensive synthesis that can inform future leadership practices and policymaking in educational institutions.
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spelling doaj-art-77d8314fdbc54777886dfc35173ec9f52025-08-21T05:27:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2025-08-011010.3389/feduc.2025.16300041630004Transformational leadership and its impact on educational innovation in Ecuador: a systematic reviewKenya Roxana Román-Cortéz0Juan Tarquino Calderón Cisneros1Carlos Alcívar Trejo2María Paula Calderon Chapín3Universidad Estatal de Milagro, Milagro, EcuadorUniversidad Estatal de Milagro, Milagro, EcuadorUniversidad Ecotec, Samborondón, EcuadorEscuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Campus Gustavo Galindo Velasco, Guayaquil, EcuadorIntroductionThis study explores the impact of transformational leadership on educational innovation in Ecuador. Given the current demand for pedagogical transformation, transformational leadership has emerged as a key driver of innovation through practices such as inspirational motivation and idealized influence. However, existing literature shows gaps in rural applications and long-term assessments.MethodsA systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, and a bibliometric analysis was performed using the Bibliometrix R-package. Peer-reviewed academic articles published between 2018 and 2024 were retrieved from indexed databases. The inclusion criteria focused on studies examining the relationship between transformational leadership and innovation in educational processes.ResultsFindings reveal a positive correlation between transformational leadership practices-particularly inspirational motivation and idealized influence-and the implementation of educational technologies and disruptive pedagogical methodologies. The review also highlights research gaps, particularly the lack of studies in rural contexts and limited longitudinal evaluations.DiscussionThe results underscore the importance of transformational leadership in fostering innovation in educational settings. Addressing the identified gaps may strengthen leadership strategies and support sustainable development in the education sector. This article offers a comprehensive synthesis that can inform future leadership practices and policymaking in educational institutions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1630004/fulltransformational leadershipeducational innovationEcuadorkeywordPRISMABibliometrix
spellingShingle Kenya Roxana Román-Cortéz
Juan Tarquino Calderón Cisneros
Carlos Alcívar Trejo
María Paula Calderon Chapín
Transformational leadership and its impact on educational innovation in Ecuador: a systematic review
Frontiers in Education
transformational leadership
educational innovation
Ecuador
keyword
PRISMA
Bibliometrix
title Transformational leadership and its impact on educational innovation in Ecuador: a systematic review
title_full Transformational leadership and its impact on educational innovation in Ecuador: a systematic review
title_fullStr Transformational leadership and its impact on educational innovation in Ecuador: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Transformational leadership and its impact on educational innovation in Ecuador: a systematic review
title_short Transformational leadership and its impact on educational innovation in Ecuador: a systematic review
title_sort transformational leadership and its impact on educational innovation in ecuador a systematic review
topic transformational leadership
educational innovation
Ecuador
keyword
PRISMA
Bibliometrix
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1630004/full
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