Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences, cilt.27, sa.1, ss.373-394, 2026 (TRDizin)
In the contemporary complex business world, the presence of paradoxes within organizations has become increasingly salient, leading to a heightened interest in the concept of paradoxical leadership among researchers. The objective of this systematic review was to delineate the primary research streams on paradoxical leadership, to examine the methodologies and contexts commonly used in the literature, and to identify current knowledge gaps, as well as to propose strategies for addressing these gaps, thereby offering appropriate recommendations for future research. This study adopted a systematic review approach for its methodology. Inclusion criteria were that the studies be written in Turkish and English, focus directly on the topic of paradoxical leadership, be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and that full-text access be available. Within this context, a total of 100 articles published on paradoxical leadership in the Scopus and Google Scholar databases between 1986 and 2024 have been systematically examined. It has been determined the characteristics deemed essential for a paradoxical leader are generally considered as premises. The outcome variables predominantly examined include innovative and creative behaviors, as well as innovative performance. Recent studies have acknowledged the negative aspects of paradoxical leadership, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive understanding of its complex nature.