The Role Of Innovation In Shaping Entrepreneurial Leadership In Ai-Based Startups

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has created new opportunities and challenges for startups, demanding leadership styles that combine entrepreneurial vision with innovation-driven strategies. This study investigates the role of innovation in shaping entrepreneurial leadership in AI-based startups through a quantitative approach. Using survey data from ۱۶۲ startups across Europe and North America, the research tests four hypotheses examining the relationship between innovation orientation, entrepreneurial leadership, and startup performance. Reliability and validity analyses confirmed robust measurement models, and correlation results indicated significant positive associations among the main constructs. Regression and structural equation modeling revealed that innovation orientation strongly predicts entrepreneurial leadership behaviors, including vision creation, risk-taking, and opportunity recognition. The findings further demonstrate that innovation mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership and performance, highlighting that leadership without innovation is insufficient for sustained success in AI-driven environments. Moreover, the analysis shows that different types of innovation—product, process, and business model—differentially influence specific dimensions of entrepreneurial leadership. The study contributes to the integration of leadership and innovation literature by showing that innovation is not only an outcome of leadership but also a formative factor that shapes leadership effectiveness. It extends theoretical frameworks such as the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities theory to the context of AI entrepreneurship, while also offering practical implications for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. Despite limitations related to self-reported data and cross-sectional design, the study provides a foundation for future research on the co-evolution of innovation and leadership. Ultimately, the results underscore that in AI-based startups, innovation is both a prerequisite and a product of entrepreneurial leadership, serving as a key driver of organizational performance and competitive advantage.

کلیدواژه ها:

Entrepreneurial Leadership ، Innovation Orientation ، AI-Based Startups ، Startup Performance ، Quantitative Research