cope: Military organizations, with their hierarchical and formal structures, have always faced structural and cultural challenges in institutionalizing innovation. Technological developments and the complexity of security threats have highlighted the necessity of redefining leadership approaches and enhancing the agility of processes.
Objective: This study aimed to explain the role of participatory leadership and agile structure in institutionalizing creativity and innovation in military organizations and analyze the effective mechanisms of this interaction.
Research Method: The present study was conducted using an exploratory mixed-methods approach (qualitative–quantitative). In the qualitative phase, data were collected through document review and interviews with 15 military experts and analyzed using thematic analysis. In the quantitative phase, a standardized questionnaire was distributed among a selected sample from the statistical population, and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Findings: Qualitative results showed that participatory leadership provides a platform for the creation of ideas by increasing intrinsic motivation, team trust, and a safe psychological environment. Agile structure also enables rapid implementation of innovations by facilitating the circulation of resources and reducing bureaucratic barriers. Quantitative analysis confirmed that the combination of these two factors is effective in institutionalizing innovation with an impact coefficient of 0.79 (at a significance level of 0.01).
Conclusion: Participative leadership plays an effective role in enhancing creativity at both individual and group levels in military organizations. By fostering participation, trust, and autonomy, this leadership style creates a favorable environment for the emergence of new ideas among personnel.