Leadership styles adopted in the precision-engineering sector of small and medium-sized enterprises in Singapore

Abstract

By examining the complex interactions between innovation and leadership styles in Singapore’s precision-engineering (PE) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this doctoral thesis fills a significant and understudied gap in leadership research. Using an effective mixed-methods approach, this study combines extensive quantitative survey answers from 128 non-managerial workers from various PE firms with rich, in-depth qualitative data from focus groups and interviews with top managers and engineers. Key findings reveal that while foundational technical expertise and inspirational motivation are acknowledged as valuable, “innovative leadership”—defined by its forward-thinking vision, tolerance for calculated risk, and adaptive behaviours—emerges as the most significant and statistically robust predictor of organisational innovation in this specific context. Crucially, the research identifies a pervasive “relational gap,” demonstrating a clear disconnect where current managerial leadership practices often fall short of employee expectations for personalised mentoring, consistent recognition, and foundational trust. This thesis rigorously argues that effective leadership in Singaporean PE SMEs necessitates a synergistic integration of strategic creativity, deep technical competence, and high emotional intelligence. Such a holistic approach is vital not only to transcend traditional hierarchical constraints, which can stifle initiative, but also to foster psychological safety within teams, thereby unlocking the full potential for employee-led innovation. These comprehensive insights provide actionable guidance for developing well-rounded leadership capabilities, which are essential for enhancing SME competitiveness and accelerating Singapore’s strategic Smart Nation goals on the global stage.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	English
Supervisor	Saeed BANIHASHEMI (Supervisor)