Abstract:
The purpose of this short paper is to propose a conceptual framework for Leadership 5.0 in the context of inter-organisational networks (IONs), as well as to identify future research directions in this area. The author's intention is to provide a broad perspective on this phenomenon, therefore, the discussion takes into account theoretical foundations in various areas, including in particular the concepts of Society 5.0, Industry 5.0 (in comparison to Industry 4.0), earlier leadership theories (including the preceding concept of Leadership 4.0), and theories of inter-organizational networks. Due to the format of this paper, the aforementioned concepts have been only hinted at or focused on their basic assumptions. The concept of Leadership 5.0 can be fundamentally based on the integration of the systemic and technological foundations of Society 5.0, which involves connecting cyberspace with the physical world to solve complex social problems (Cabinet Office - Government of Japan, 2015; Fukuda, 2020; Narvaez Rojas et al., 2021), complemented by a human-centric perspective, one of the foundations of Industry 5.0, alongside sustainability and resilience (Breque, De Nul and Petridis, 2021; Akundi et al., 2022; van Erp et al., 2024). The literature still lacks coherent models characterizing specific leadership roles and influence in complex network structures in the context of interorganizational collaboration based on the use of data (Big Data models), artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, digitization, smart factories, Internet-of-Things systems, digitalization, and cybersecurity - particularly with respect to traditional mechanisms for managing such collaborations (Dhanaraj and Parkhe, 2006; Provan and Kenis, 2008). The conceptual Leadership 5.0 model proposed by the author encompasses key elements of this category, identified primarily by researchers in the field. The paper also proposes key research niches. This short paper is therefore conceptual in nature, constituting a preliminary proposal for a research agenda.
