The Role of Leadership and Strategic Alliances in Innovation and Digital Transformation for Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Existing Literature

Carla Azevedo Lobo, Arlindo Marinho, Carla Santos Pereira (), Mónica Azevedo and Fernando Moreira
Additional contact information
Carla Azevedo Lobo: REMIT (Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies), Universidade Portucalense, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Arlindo Marinho: REMIT (Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies), Universidade Portucalense, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Carla Santos Pereira: REMIT (Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies), Universidade Portucalense, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Mónica Azevedo: REMIT (Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies), Universidade Portucalense, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Fernando Moreira: REMIT (Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies), Universidade Portucalense, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-21

Abstract: In the context of accelerating digital transformation and growing sustainability imperatives, entrepreneurial ecosystems increasingly rely on open innovation and strategic collaboration to foster resilient, knowledge-driven growth. This study aims to examine how leadership behaviors and strategic alliances interact as enablers of sustainable innovation across macro (systemic), meso (organizational), and micro (individual) levels. To achieve this, this study employs a literature review, supported by bibliometric analysis, as its core methodological approach. Drawing on 86 influential publications from 1992 to 2024, two major thematic streams emerge: leadership dynamics in entrepreneurial settings and the formation and governance of strategic alliances as vehicles for innovation. The findings underscore the pivotal role of transformational and ethical leadership in cultivating trust-based inter-organizational relationships, facilitating digital knowledge sharing, and catalyzing sustainable value creation. Simultaneously, strategic alliances enhance organizational agility and innovation capacity through co-creation mechanisms, digital platforms, and crowdsourcing, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper highlights a mutually reinforcing relationship: effective leadership strategies empower alliances, while alliance participation enhances leadership capabilities through experiential learning in diverse, digitalized environments. By bridging leadership theory, open innovation practices, and digital transformation, this study offers critical insights for entrepreneurs, managers, and policymakers seeking to drive inclusive and sustainable innovation within interconnected global markets. Therefore, this study provides practical guidance for business leaders aiming to strengthen alliance performance through adaptive leadership and for policymakers seeking to foster innovation ecosystems through supportive regulatory and institutional frameworks.

Keywords: strategic alliances; digital transformation; entrepreneurial ecosystems; leadership behaviors; innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/6182/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/6182/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:6182-:d:1695489

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().