Identifying the Management Styles of Creative Universities and Their Role in Creating Innovative Businesses

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to identify creative management styles in universities and examine their role in creating innovative businesses. Given the importance of innovation in educational environments and the impact of management styles on creativity, this research seeks to provide strategies to enhance these factors in universities. Methodology: This research is descriptive-survey in terms of methodology and applied in terms of purpose. The statistical population included 180 managers, professors, and staff from the Entrepreneurship Faculty of the University of Tehran and the Management and Psychology Faculties of Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch. Stratified random sampling was used, and based on the Krejcie-Morgan table, 152 individuals were selected as the sample. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire designed and developed based on standard questionnaires. Pearson correlation and multiple regression tests were used to analyze the data with SPSS-27 software. Findings: The results showed that participatory management style (r = 0.67, p < 0.01) and coaching management style (r = 0.83, p < 0.01) are significantly related to innovation in innovative businesses. The regression model indicated that both management styles significantly predict innovation (F = 56.78, p < 0.01, R² = 0.79). The multiple regression results showed that participatory management style (B = 0.55, β = 0.46, p < 0.01) and coaching management style (B = 0.73, β = 0.62, p < 0.01) have a significant impact on business innovation. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of participatory and coaching management styles in enhancing innovation and creativity in academic environments. University managers can adopt these management styles to create a creative and innovative environment that supports the development of innovative businesses.