Introduction

Uganda’s public universities face persistent challenges of low knowledge worker productivity (KWP), reflected in declining efficiency, poor task execution, and limited innovation. Nearly half of academic staff exhibit low productivity, undermining research and innovation prospects. Existing theories fail to adequately explain this phenomenon. This project seeks to develop and test a behavioral model that integrates Transformational Leadership (TL), Knowledge Management Processes (KMP), and Innovation (INN) to explain and improve KWP among academic staff in public universities.