Quantum Leadership: A Bibliometric Analysis for Future Research Agenda

In an era marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), traditional leadership paradigms are increasingly insufficient to address the demands of dynamic organizational environments. This study investigates quantum leadership as a future-oriented response to these challenges and aims to systematically map the evolution, intellectual structure, and emerging themes of quantum leadership research from 2010 to mid-2025. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data retrieved from the Scopus database, with the final search performed in July 2025. The dataset was generated using the search query TITLE-ABS-KEY (“quantum leadership”), refined through inclusion criteria that limited results to peer-reviewed publications published between 2010 and 2025 and written in all available languages. Following screening and relevance filtering, 78 highly relevant documents were retained for analysis. Bibliometric techniques, including citation analysis, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence mapping, were applied using VOSviewer. The findings reveal a clear evolution of quantum leadership from a conceptual metaphor into a multidisciplinary research domain, with increasing applications in healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, sustainability, and organizational innovation. Thematic analysis indicates a shift from early emphases on interpersonal communication and systems awareness toward emerging interests in AI, consciousness, employee creativity, and organizational adaptability. From a practical perspective, the study highlights the relevance of quantum leadership for organizations navigating technological disruption and complexity. Leaders may apply quantum principles such as mindfulness, empathy, adaptive decision-making, and relational intelligence to foster innovation, psychological safety, and co-creative organizational cultures.