The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Innovation

Table of Contents

1. Workplace Innovation as a Process

   1. Frontmatter

   2. 11. Workplace Innovation as a Process: Examples from Europe

      Peter R. A. Oeij, Paul T. Y. Preenen, Steven Dhondt

      Abstract

      Presenting a study in ten EU Member States, this chapter discusses the implementation of workplace innovation (WPI) by European companies. Central questions are: (1) Why do companies apply WPI and are there different strategies that they use? (2) How do these companies implement WPI interventions and provide employees a role in that process? (3) What types of WPI interventions are being implemented, and what are the (expected) effects of such interventions? The chapter concludes that successful WPI is a subtle interplay of management-driven business goals and employee-driven quality of work life goals. The main take away message is that constructive cooperation between management and employees is key for innovation, competitiveness and good quality jobs.

   3. 12. Innovation Trajectories: When to Open and Close the Innovation Process

      Shantam Shukla, Shashwat Shukla

      Abstract

      Innovation as a source of competitive advantage helps the organization gain superior returns from the market. Until recently, innovation activities were generally restricted inside organizations and in some cases to select partners. The last two decades have witnessed the emergence of practices where private enterprises open all or select innovation activities for anyone with interest to participate. Referred to as “open innovation” approach to innovation development, organizations have shown different patterns of openness in their innovation efforts with regard to stages and levels of openness, identified as innovation trajectory in this study. In one of the first studies to explore openness at innovation process level, we explore the factors that determine the choice of innovation trajectory, i.e. pattern of openness, in the organization’s innovation process.

   4. 13. Digitalization Toward Innovative Workplaces: Service Engineering Research in Japan

      Kentaro Watanabe, Takeshi Takenaka, Takashi Okuma

      Abstract

      The recent evolution of digital technologies is changing service industries. Although digitalization has been expected to create more productive workplaces in service sectors, it is necessary to investigate how digital technologies could be integrated with work practices and innovative activities at workplaces. Studies on this issue are still scarce, especially from the aspect of technology development and integration. In this chapter, we introduce the service engineering research project in Japan. The feature of this project held from 2009 to 2012 was the utilization of digital technologies and collected data in an employee-driven manner at workplaces. We introduce two illustrative case studies and six principles for successful development and implementation of digital technologies toward innovative workplaces.

   5. 14. Organizational and Individual Reality of Innovation: Similarities and Differences

      Shashwat Shukla, Shantam Shukla, Sonam Chawla

      Abstract

      Innovation is the buzzword today in organizations, with resources, time and effort being invested to innovate in order to gain competitive advantage. However, innovation, like other processes in organizational settings, takes place in a structured and planned way. This results in “organized innovation,” wherein the interplay of two opposing forces, namely, disrupting and organizing work at the same time, results in poor quality of innovation. On the other hand, consistent high-quality innovation is being done by individual innovators. We apply the transactional analysis framework to compare the process of innovation as adopted by the organizations vis-a-vis individual innovator using case research methodology. The chapter elucidates the individual and organizational processes by drawing similarities and differences between the two.

   6. 15. Digitalization of Work Processes: A Framework for Human-Oriented Work Design

      Hartmut Hirsch-Kreinsen, Peter Ittermann

      Abstract

      The chapter presents the options and criteria of a human-, resp. skill-oriented design of digitized industrial work. To this end, in the chapter, the following theses will be outlined: First, there are no clear prospects for the development of digital work; rather, very different development perspectives can be assumed. Second, the development of digitization has therefore to be regarded as a design project. A useful conceptual base for this is the approach of the socio-technical system. Third, based on this approach, basic criteria for the design and implementation of human-oriented forms of digitized work can be systematically developed. Methodologically, the contribution draws on research findings that deal with the diffusion of digital technologies and the development of work in industrial sectors of Germany.

   7. 16. The Locus for Open Innovation Arrangements: How Universities Can Engage Firms to Collaborate

      Kadígia Faccin, Luciana Maines da Silva, Giulia Sandri Groehs, Silvio Bitencourt da Silva, Daniel Pedro Puffal

      Abstract

      The emergence of open innovation practices has caused the university’s role to be rethought, especially in the form of its engagement with industry and society. More and more entrepreneurial behavior is expected from the university. However, in some locations, such as Brazil, where universities have developed based on technology import models, collaboration with industry, and therefore technology transfer, is still challenging. Thus, in this chapter, we present the case of Unisinos, which created a hub, a locus for open innovation, enhancing companies’ engagement in the technology transfer process. This hub has a specific physical structure to enhance companies’ engagement with the university. Besides, it uses a set of expert-brokered interface processes capable of ensuring quality, improving project management, and making the best choice of partners for the company project. This approach has offered entrepreneurial behavior for research and broadens the insertion of the university in its surroundings.

   8. 17. Examining and Reviewing Innovation Strategies in Australian Public Sector Organisations

      Mahmoud Moussa

      Abstract

      The propensity for public sector organisations to innovate has drastically increased over the last two decades. Public sector innovation in this chapter refers to major changes in processes in the Australian public sector. This chapter can serve as an indication of the extent to which the Australian government is providing the infrastructure to support or encourage innovation. In addition, this chapter might help public servants/decision-makers to identify the most favourable behaviours and characteristics that foster a culture of innovation. The findings revealed specific barriers that hinder a culture of innovation and leadership characteristics and organisational climate issues that stimulate a culture of innovation in the government sector. The findings on innovation and leadership are predominantly aggregated in the literature, and this chapter for the first time identifies disaggregated data across eight states of Australia.

   9. 18. Prototyping Innovation as a Business Process

      Sylwia Sysko-Romańczuk, Katarzyna Bachnik

      Abstract

      The chapter proposes that only innovative companies can deliver sustainable performance over time. How to ensure a robust pipeline of innovative projects to build a sustainable innovative company is a very relevant question. The authors claim that innovation processes which constantly deliver innovation-powered projects can be prototyped. So far prototyping was developed and explored as a stage in innovation process linking idea with refined solution. We use prototyping as a method of getting innovation processes done. In an attempt to find some insights, the authors examine a particular example of prototyping an innovation process step by step, materialize it in a software that enables to automatize and stabilize the process, and fine-tune it with employees in an inclusive approach in a medium-sized construction business. The case study discusses key factors in determining a sustainable innovation process based on a true understanding of the external environment and contextual business requirements. Although rooted in construction specifics, the presented approach can gain broader application.

2. Workplace Innovation as an Outcome

   1. Frontmatter

   2. 19. Creative Leadership and Work Role Proficiency: The Mediating Role of Employee Innovativeness

      Tomislav Hernaus, Maja Klindžić, Matija Marić

      Abstract

      Since the prevailing norm adopted by many successful businesses is that creativity is no longer an optional but a necessary feature of leadership, the present study develops and tests a model of the mechanisms linking different stages of the innovation process (delivered by different actors) and work role proficiency. Specifically, by examining a sample of 177 leader-member dyads from four public sector organizations based in a European Union member state, we showed that (1) leader creativity is positively related to employee organizational citizenship behavior (a direct effect) and (2) employee innovativeness mediates the positive relationship between leader creativity and employees’ work role proficiency dimensions (an indirect effect). Thus, we provided new evidence on the importance of leaders’ creative role modelling for achieving higher levels of followers’ task performance and organizational citizenship behavior.

   3. 20. Academic Leadership Qualities Towards Innovation Endeavours in an Organisation: A Comparative Study of Malaysia and Singapore Perceptions

      Cheng Sim Quah, Sandra Phek Lin Sim, Wee-Liang Tan

      Abstract

      This study employed mixed methods to explore the comparison between Malaysia and Singapore in terms of the contribution of leadership qualities and impacts towards innovation endeavours. Besides that, it also examined the significant relationship between leadership qualities and innovation endeavours in both countries. Findings revealed that operational focus and quality measurement qualities make the strongest unique contribution to explaining the variance, emphasising the importance of innovation. Findings also showed that innovation endeavours have promising impacts on Malaysia and Singapore university students towards enhancing, inspiring and motivating their learning, besides providing them a sense of self-improvement, self-motivation, self-satisfaction, self-efficiency and a sense of achievement. This study implies that innovation endeavours have helped university lecturers unleash their self-potential in the world of innovation, encourage their quest for continuous professional improvement and provide them the avenue to feel accomplished upon the recognition of their innovation.

   4. 21. Frugal Workplace Innovation: A Conceptual Framework

      Daniel Etse, Adela McMurray, Nuttawuth Muenjohn

      Abstract

      Frugal innovation is associated with social, economic, and environmental benefits. The process by which this innovation is embedded in organisational DNA, and the mechanisms by which its related beneficial outcomes eventuate however, remain unclear, as these have not been clarified in the literature. Using the concept of workplace innovation, and by means of conceptual research methodology, this chapter explores the process by which a frugal workplace innovation environment is created and develops a conceptual framework to depict relationships between various frugal workplace innovation predictors and related outcomes. The resultant conceptual framework identifies two independent variables, one mediating variable, and one outcome variable. This chapter extends the field of innovation management by the contribution of a framework for conceptualising not only frugal workplace innovation, but workplace innovation in general, and also for predicting workplace innovation-related outcomes. It lays the groundwork for the development of a testable workplace innovation theory.

   5. 22. Recognizing the Value of Unsuccessful Innovations: A Case Study from the Dairy Industry in Mexico

      Andres Ramirez-Portilla, Erick G. Torres

      Abstract

      The dairy industry is a mature industry that tends to take a traditional approach toward innovation. In recent years, however, firms in this industry have pursued more constant innovation by recognizing the value of their innovation mistakes. This chapter presents the case study of Alpura, the second-largest dairy company in Mexico, a country with a complex, competitive mix of more than 26 large domestic and international dairy companies. This case study describes the events related to the unsuccessful innovations that eventually drove an urgent change in the innovation strategy in Alpura, which was a leader in its market for several decades. Alpura’s case portrays the importance of organizations recognizing the value of their unsuccessful innovations and other innovation missteps to focus on better future innovation efforts.

   6. 23. Innovation and Quality of the Work Life Management: Managers, Purpose of Life and Joy

      Ana Cristina Limongi-França, André Baptista Barcauí, Paulo Bergsten Mendes, Rodolfo Ribeiro da Silva, Wellington Nogueira

      Abstract

      The interactions between innovation and Quality of the Work Life Management are multiple and continuous. The foundations of these relationships considering biological, psychological, social and organizational approaches. Studies on happiness among executives, characteristics of the app 7waves motivations for life objectives and a description of Doctors of Joy. The contributions of these approaches refer to innovations both in terms of organizational behaviour management models and the development of innovative skills in companies. The methodology Teaching Case used was the analysis of real cases from the perspective of added values to the management and practice of quality of life and changes in the organizational culture. The cases studied show new frontiers of perception by the directors, in relation to workshops that promote the expression of emotions.

   7. 24. Impact of Workplace Innovation on Organisational Performance: A Cross Country Comparative Analysis of Entrepreneurial Ventures

      Ali Iftikhar Choudhary, Adela McMurray, Nuttawuth Muenjohn

      Abstract

      Organisations are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of innovation and finding ways to cultivate innovation for performance improvement. Based on the resource-based view theory, this study aims to identify the relationship between workplace innovation and organisational performance in entrepreneurial ventures across Australia and Pakistan. Cross-sectional quantitative method was used to collect the data from top executives working in entrepreneurial ventures in both countries through an online and hardcopy survey. The results demonstrated that workplace innovation has a positive impact on organisational performance in a developed country, yet this relationship is non-significant in a developing country, showing a significant difference in both countries. The findings of this study extend the literature of workplace innovation and empirically justify that there is a need to practically implement workplace innovation as a business growth strategy in ventures across developing countries.