INTEGRITY-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL INNOVATION IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN TANZANIA
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigates how integrity-driven leadership influences social innovation in Tanzanian public universities, addressing a clear lack of empirical evidence on this relationship.
Methodology: A concurrent mixed-methods research design was employed. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to academic staff and students, while qualitative data were obtained through interviews with key university stakeholders. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, regression analysis, and thematic analysis.
Findings: The findings reveal a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between integrity-driven leadership and social innovation (r = 0.759, p < 0.001). Regression results indicate that integrity-driven leadership explains 57.6% of the variance in social innovation in public universities in Tanzania (R² = 0.576). Qualitative findings further demonstrate that transparency, accountability, and ethical consistency enhance trust, stakeholder collaboration, and community-oriented innovation.
Conclusion: Integrity-driven leadership is a critical enabler of social innovation in Tanzanian public universities. By fostering trust, ethical governance, and stakeholder engagement, such leadership aligns institutional innovation efforts with national development priorities
Recommendations: Public universities should institutionalize integrity-based leadership training, strengthen accountability and transparency mechanisms.
Keywords: Integrity-Driven Leadership; Social Innovation; Value-Based Leadership
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