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Abstract

This study investigates the pivotal role of supportive leadership in fostering individual creativity within the burgeoning Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) sector of Saudi Arabia. In alignment with the innovation-driven mandate of Saudi Vision 2030, this research explores how leader support for creativity interacts with employee curiosity to enhance innovative output. By adopting a quantitative approach, data were synthesized from 145 employees across 27 SMEs within Riyadh's high-growth technology and communications industry. The findings underscore that leadership support is not merely a passive backdrop but a dynamic catalyst that significantly amplifies both curiosity and creative performance. Specifically, the analysis reveals that employee curiosity functions as a vital moderating mechanism; supportive behaviors-such as granting autonomy and providing constructive feedback-yield the highest creative dividends when directed toward naturally inquisitive individuals. Furthermore, the results indicate that curiosity serves as a bridge, reinforcing the structural link between leadership interventions and tangible creative outcomes. Practically, these findings offer actionable insights for Saudi SME leaders seeking to cultivate a resilient and innovative workforce capable of driving the Kingdom's strategic economic transformation and global competitiveness.

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