Innovation in university management from a psychological and organizational perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this essay was to reflect on innovation in university management from a psychological-organizational perspective, given the difficulty of understanding it as a process that changes both institutions and individuals. The study was conducted using an analytical-interpretive approach of a documentary nature. Specialized articles from Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, DOAJ, and ScienceDirect were reviewed. The process consisted of categorization, review, and critical synthesis. Five articles were selected based on the criteria of full-text availability, publication date between 2022 and 2025, and thematic relevance. Seventeen articles were excluded because they did not meet the criteria for the selected year, were not fully accessible, or were duplicates in the consulted databases. The analysis was organized around the following axes: management as a psychological-organizational phenomenon, human processes: motivational leadership for university transformation, and challenges in academic innovation, incorporating the argumentative reasoning that defines them. It is proposed that university innovation should not be limited to structural modifications or technological implementation. Instead, it needs to consciously include psychological, motivational, and organizational elements that facilitate the promotion of sustainable change. The projective perspective guides universities to fulfill their role as agents of innovation and social transformation, fostering responsible, adaptable, and creative leadership within an inclusive and flexible culture for sustainable progress.