Fostering Creativity in Business: Empowering Strong Transformational Leaders

Introduction

These days, shaping a creative and an innovative world, in general, and a creative and an innovative Europe, in particular, seems to represent one of the most desired aims of all (European Commission, 2006). That is the reason why, when intending to acquire such a high and demanding target, the need to create and promote a strategy capable to combine “innovative goods and services, focused resources, new financial structures and mobility of people, money and organizations” becomes, on the one hand, a must for the leaders at a global level and, on the other hand, a challenge for all individuals and all entities (European Commission, 2006). Hence, according to the ideas stated in the publication “Creating an Innovative Europe: Report of the Independent Expert Group on R&D and innovation appointed following the Hampton Court Summit Luxembourg” the following key point should be considered: “together these constitute a paradigm shift going well beyond the narrow domain of R&D and innovation policy” (European Commission, 2006).

Nevertheless, competitiveness and sustainability are regarded as the main organizational objectives mentioned in almost all recommendations formulated by policy makers as well as economic and financial strategists, and political decisions adopted or due to be adopted by prominent leaders, with reference to the powerful links between the research, development and innovation (R&D&I) actions, the commitment taken for a better life, the higher life quality standards and a cleaner environment, an innovative-friendly market (Popescu et al., 2008; Popescu et al., 2015).

Nowadays, the immediate challenges and the particular perspectives of the macro environment and the companies’ economic, social and R&D&I potential creates the immediate need to adapt the way of life in order to be opened to creativity, innovation, newness and bright development ideas, while taking large scale actions to accomplish long term excellence, performance, and prosperity (Popescu & Popescu, 2015; Popescu et al., 2016; Popescu et al., 2015).

This scientific book chapter suggestively entitled “Fostering creativity in business: empowering strong transformational leaders” explores the role and the importance of cultivating creativity in the business world, and the impact of empowering strong transformational leaders on today’s continuously changing business environment. What is more, based on the preliminary research assessment on the business field as well as on the business administration domain current status, a gap was identified in terms of potential sources of creativity in business and of methods capable to foster creativity in business, while closely referring to the influence of strong transformational leaders. It follows that the case of Romania – a country which is part of the European Union (EU), required immediate attention while closely addressing this exceptional subject, especially since all the countries worldwide (and Romania makes no exception whatsoever) are confronting themselves with an imminent process of changing dynamics in responsible and sustainable business in the Post-COVID-19 Era. Accordingly, several assumptions could be made here, when addressing the specificities of literature gaps: for instance, one assumption that may be formulated is that creativity will soon play a crucial role in today’s business environment, making the difference between several types of activities and helping their leaders engage in a competitive marketplace; another assumption that could be brought to light is that leaders worldwide should be more focused on accepting inevitable and outstanding transformations in their line of work, if willing to survive in a constantly dominated by change business environment; it follows that, a next assumption might tackle the importance and tremendous value brought by the existence of intellectual capital in each and every organization – especially when admitting to contribution and the role of human resources and human resources management in all entities globally.