Linda O. N. Nwabunike

The Research and Development Management Association (RADMA) has played a pivotal role in shaping my academic and professional journey. With the invaluable guidance of my academic supervisor, Dr Despoina Filiou, I applied for and was fortunate to receive the RADMA Doctoral Studies Funding Opportunity. This support extended beyond financial assistance, instilling confidence in my research and enabling the successful completion of my PhD. I am profoundly grateful to the RADMA committee for their thoughtful and generous support, which has been instrumental in my academic development.

I possess a robust background in pharmacy with specialised interests in innovation and strategic management. My extensive professional experience spans roles as a pharmacist in community pharmacies, hospitals, and general practices. Additionally, I have worked as a business development manager within the cosmetic industry in China, as well as a market researcher and brand strategy manager within the pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria. These roles enabled me to successfully lead projects focused on business growth and operational efficiency. Insights from my commercial work in Nigeria informed the conceptual foundation of my research.

My doctoral research investigates innovation management within the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector through the lens of innovation ambidexterity. It explores how diverse leadership styles and behaviours, alongside equity alliances with government and commercial organisations, facilitate both exploration and exploitation in innovation.

This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by examining leadership approaches beyond transformational and transactional paradigms, while evaluating the role of equity ties in fostering innovation ambidexterity. While existing literature suggests adverse outcomes from equity alliances with government entities, my findings highlight that strategic partnerships with reputable organisations — including government bodies — can enhance social capital and public reputation, thereby promoting innovation.

The research adopts an embedded multiple case study methodology, collecting qualitative data from 32 semi-structured interviews across five Nigerian pharmaceutical firms. Key findings include:

• Structural Separation: Essential for minimising external interference in the innovation strategies of focal companies when partnering with other firms.
• Trust as a Prerequisite to forming equity alliances: Vital for fostering information sharing and collaboration across organisational boundaries.
• Leadership Styles for Innovation Ambidexterity: A combination of transformational, strategic, directive, transactional, shared, and collective leadership styles support innovation ambidexterity.
• CEO Leadership: CEOs who exhibit strategic and transformational leadership qualities, while delegating decision-making and resource allocation powers to senior managers, are better positioned to cultivate innovation ambidexterity.

The thesis develops an innovation leadership behaviour model, linking specific leadership behaviours to different types and stages of innovation (exploration and exploitation; ideation and implementation). This comprehensive framework offers valuable contributions to future research and practical insights for leaders in the pharmaceutical sector.

Plans are underway to publish several papers in journals based on my PhD findings. These papers will focus on leadership strategies for fostering innovation ambidexterity, the role of equity ties in innovation, and leadership behaviours for managing ambidextrous innovation projects.

Beyond my research, I have consistently contributed to advancing pharmacy practice through mentorship, professional development initiatives, and the adoption of technology-driven solutions to improve medication management and patient care. I remain committed to furthering research and teaching in leadership, innovation, and strategic management within the healthcare sector.

The RADMA community provides an invaluable platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and promoting research excellence. I am enthusiastic about continuing to contribute to this network, particularly in areas intersecting leadership, innovation strategy, and healthcare development.