The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Innovation
- 2021
- Book
- 1. edition
- Editors
- Adela McMurray
- Nuttawuth Muenjohn
- Chamindika Weerakoon
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
About this book
Innovation is a source of building long-term sustainability. If implemented successfully it can lead to superior organizational performance. To be competitive, companies and their leaders continuously strive to engage in new market spaces by developing and engaging in an innovative culture so as to differentiate themselves from their rivals.
With contributions from scholars and practitioners, this Handbook provides evidence-based case studies to identify workplace innovation practices in developed and developing countries. Chapters are based on an organizational innovation framework and focuses on two major areas: the determinants of innovation and the process and outcome elements. It covers in-depth, cutting edge specialised topics such as frugal innovation, innovation associated with leadership as well as numerous organisational contexts such as for-profit and not for profit sectors and small, medium and large organisations.
Essential reading for any student or scholar of innovation studies, this handbook provides novel coverage of innovation practices linked to organizational variables such as culture, ethics, leadership and performance.
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Table of Contents
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Workplace Innovation and Transformations
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Frontmatter
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25. Innovation Unplugged: The Power of Mindsets, Behaviour and Collaboration in the Quest for Innovation
Mark Boyes, Arthur ShelleyThis chapter discusses the critical role of mindsets, behaviors, and collaboration in achieving innovation. It highlights the challenges organizations face in fostering creativity and innovation, such as rigid processes and convergent thinking. The text introduces a mind-shift model designed to promote divergent thinking and creativity, using case studies from successful organizations like NASA and Blackmagic Design to illustrate its effectiveness. The chapter argues that a shift in emphasis towards people and creative thinking can significantly improve innovation outcomes and overall performance. It offers practical insights into how organizations can create a more innovative and collaborative workplace culture.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter is positioned from a practitioner point of view which is supported by research conducted by the primary author, the presented case studies and theoretical considerations. The research proposed that in order to engage in more divergent thinking (which is a key element of innovation) we need to shift the focus away from tangible outputs and towards the outcomes of workforce engagement and collaboration. Taking this approach can reverse the common mindset of being submerged in a tactical mindset of rigid and functional states that focus purely on cost, time, scope and quality. The examples in this chapter show that our modern Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) world offers opportunities to be explored, rather than a problem upon which to focus. To create such proactive workplace innovation, requires a mind-shift that is more creative, agile and open. It benefits from stronger inclusion of intangible human elements, such as relationships, trust, engagement and collaboration. Optimal workplace innovation motivates the people involved through engagement which generates sustained higher performance outcomes. -
26. The Role of Top Management Team Cognitive Diversity in a Global Sample of Innovative Firms: A Review
Claire A. SimmersThe chapter highlights the importance of workplace innovation in a global context, focusing on the role of the top management team (TMT) in driving innovation. It discusses the significance of generational cohorts within the TMT, exploring how different generations—Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials—contribute to innovation. The study uses a multiple case study methodology to analyze a sample of thirty-eight innovative firms, categorizing them by business life cycle phases: Maturity, Expansion, Growth, and Start-up. The findings reveal patterns in TMT composition and innovation strategies across these phases, emphasizing the importance of cognitive diversity in sustaining and enhancing innovation. The chapter concludes with implications for TMT composition and future research directions in the field of workplace innovation.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter used secondary sources to examine the role of cognitive diversity among top management teams in a global sample of 38 innovative firms (19 headquartered in the United States and 19 headquartered in other countries). Top management team demographics—generation, firm tenure, gender, and race—were collected, and firms were classified into four business life cycles. Firms in the Maturity phase had less generational and geographic dispersion, but more gender and racial diversity, so that cognitive diversity might facilitate continuous innovation aimed at marketplace relevancy. Innovative Start-ups were geographically dispersed but more cohort, gender, and racially concentrated. Perhaps this lack of cognitive diversity was necessary to maintain focus on the new business for survival in the early years. Limitations and future research directions were presented. -
27. Design Thinking and Workplace Innovation Interface
Judy MatthewsThis chapter delves into the dynamic relationship between design thinking and workplace innovation, emphasizing the role of human-centered design in fostering creativity and collaboration within modern workplaces. It discusses the evolution of workplace innovation, the multidimensional nature of innovation, and the practical applications of design thinking across various sectors. The chapter also explores the challenges and benefits of integrating design thinking into organizational practices, offering insights into how this approach can drive sustainable value creation and foster a culture of innovation. By presenting a rich tapestry of case studies and theoretical background, the chapter invites readers to explore the transformative potential of design thinking in shaping the future of work.AI Generated
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AbstractWorkplace innovation and its relevance to health, well-being and prosperity continues to be a positive response to the challenging features of our time. Following a brief review of existing research on the application of design thinking, we focus on its contributions to workplace innovation. This chapter proposes that design thinking or human-centred design and its focus on creating more desirable futures captures the imagination, energy and human ingenuity to stimulate, nurture and shape new ways of thinking and working, delivering collaborative new improved solutions across multiple organisational contexts and enabling workplace innovation. -
28. Unleashing Innovation Across Ethical and Moral Boundaries: The Dark Side of Using Innovation for Self-Advantage
Daniel Etse, Adela McMurray, Nuttawuth MuenjohnThis chapter delves into the often-neglected ethical dimensions of innovation, focusing on unethical practices such as deception, negligence, and human rights violations. It introduces the concept of 'unethical innovation process' and explores its characteristics and facilitating factors through an in-depth case study of Theranos, a medical innovation company that was exposed for widespread fraudulent practices. The chapter argues that addressing these ethical issues is crucial for identifying and preventing unethical innovation practices, and it offers valuable insights for innovation management theory and practice.AI Generated
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AbstractThe ethical dimension of innovation, a hitherto neglected research area, has started attracting scholarly interest. This is of particular relevance considering the increasing rate of ethical infractions that characterise the innovation and technology landscape. Though the need for ethical and responsible innovation is being highlighted in the extant literature, there appears to be a lack of research focus on related unethical practices. In this chapter we draw attention to the concept of unethical innovation process and highlight practices that characterise such a process. Using Theranos, a medical technology firm as our case study, and content analysis as our methodological approach, we explored the characteristics and facilitating factors of the unethical innovation process. The findings highlight eight major related characteristics and eleven major facilitating factors. This chapter makes three significant contributions to the field of innovation management by doing the following: it introduces the concept of unethical innovation process; highlights the major related characteristics; and identifies the major related facilitating factors. -
29. Innovation-Enhancing Leadership in the Australian Tourism Industry
Solmaz (Sally) Moghimi, Nuttawuth MuenjohnThe chapter 'Innovation-Enhancing Leadership in the Australian Tourism Industry' delves into the critical role of leadership in fostering creativity and innovation among employees in the tourism sector. It underscores the transformative impact of innovation on the hotel industry's financial performance, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage. The study focuses on the Australian context, examining how leadership behaviors significantly influence employees' ability to generate new ideas and implement them effectively. By highlighting the positive correlation between innovation-enhancing leadership and employee creativity and innovation, the chapter offers valuable insights for hotel managers and tourism executives seeking to enhance their organizational success through employee-driven innovations.AI Generated
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AbstractThe role of innovation and creativity in the contemporary tourism industry is significant in sustaining competitive advantage. Of all factors related to employees’ behaviour, leadership has been found to be one of the most influential in supporting and encouraging subordinates’ creativity and innovation. The key purpose of this study is to examine the influence of perceived innovation-enhancing leadership behaviours on employees’ creativity and innovation. A quantitative survey of 292 hotels and resorts in Australia was conducted. The empirical findings indicate that the innovation-enhancing leadership behaviours relate positively and significantly to employees’ creativity and innovation. The findings of this study will enable industry practitioners to develop innovative and sustainable organisational strategies in the competitive tourism industry, as well as useful directions for leadership coaching programs. -
30. Back to Basics in the Dairy Industry: Building Innovation Capabilities to Allow Future Innovation Success
Erick G. Torres, Andres Ramirez-PortillaThe chapter 'Back to Basics in the Dairy Industry: Building Innovation Capabilities to Allow Future Innovation Success' delves into the strategic transformation of the dairy industry, with a focus on the Mexican firm Alpura. It discusses the importance of innovation capabilities in driving competitive advantage and explores Alpura's journey in redefining its competitive strategy to embrace innovation. The chapter highlights the investments in tangible and intangible assets, the development of core, supplemental, and enabling capabilities, and the challenges and opportunities faced by the company in its quest to become an innovative leader in the dairy market.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter reviews the innovation endeavors of the second biggest dairy company in Mexico, from a resource-based point of view, to catch up with the market dynamics in the mature business of dairy products in an emerging economy. First, we address the strategic decisions of the top management team, headed by a new CEO with a transformational profile, to lay the foundations of a long-term competitive strategy that respond to the poundings of well-positioned and new aggressive competitors. Then we turn next to take a close look at the efforts to developing innovation capabilities and the reconfiguration of the capabilities structure for the implementation of the innovation strategy that guarantees a bright, innovative future for this iconic company in Mexico.
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Workplace Innovation Ecosystem
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Frontmatter
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31. Brazil’s Innovation Ecosystems: The Role of Cultural Factors
Luiz Marcio Spinosa, Rosana Silveira Reis, Marcos Muller SchlemmThe chapter delves into Brazil’s efforts to foster innovation ecosystems, focusing on the crucial role of cultural factors. Despite being the ninth largest economy, Brazil faces significant challenges in innovation, ranking 64th in the Global Innovation Index. The authors argue that a lack of innovation culture is a primary obstacle, influenced by cultural values and attitudes. The study compares Brazilian innovation ecosystems with those in Silicon Valley, identifying key cultural factors such as knowledge dissemination, openness to experimentation, and trust. The research reveals that while Brazil has the basic conditions to foster innovation, these factors are not fully developed or integrated. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for supportive environments to enhance these cultural factors, suggesting that trust is a key element requiring immediate attention.AI Generated
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AbstractBrazil is the ninth largest economy in the world and has been driving substantial efforts to develop new paths for socioeconomic development. The creation and consolidation of innovation ecosystems is one path. Unlocking barriers to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation remains a primary challenge. This chapter contributes to an understanding of the cultural factors that might inhibit these developments. Selected innovative ecosystems in Brazil are subjected to context-based analysis in light of detailed constructs established in studies of America’s Silicon Valley. Our main conclusion is that Brazil has the basic cultural conditions to foster innovation, but the necessary cultural factors are not yet fully developed or structured in an integrated way. -
32. A Prototype for Designing Workplace Innovation Within a Care Ecosystem Context
Ezra Dessers, Bernard J. MohrThe chapter introduces a prototype framework for designing workplace innovation within care ecosystems, emphasizing integrated care and the Triple Aim. It discusses the challenges of care delivery systems and proposes a new perspective on workplace innovation using Socio-Technical Systems (STS) design principles. The framework is developed through case studies and iterative design dialogues, highlighting the importance of co-creation and ecosystem-level interventions. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the iterative and emergent process of ecosystem workplace innovation, offering new opportunities and challenges for healthcare practitioners and policymakers.AI Generated
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AbstractAn ecosystem perspective on workplace innovation may support better understanding of emerging healthcare challenges and better workplace innovation strategies. A practical method for collaboratively designing ecosystem workplace innovation is required. Using the Dutch/Belgian socio-technical systems theory, we developed a prototype for designing workplace innovation within a care ecosystem context. Three cases of ecosystem workplace innovation in health and social care were analyzed, supplemented by a series of iterative design dialogues. The findings of this exploratory work show the potential of workplace innovation at the ecosystem level. Future research is needed to further develop and validate the prototype. -
33. Educational Technology at Pivotal Crossroads
Radhika Venkat, Jayanta BanerjeeThis chapter delves into the intricate dynamics of the EdTech startup ecosystem in Bengaluru, India, by applying Isenberg's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Framework. It highlights the key factors affecting the growth of EdTech startups, including the importance of a conducive culture, adequate infrastructure support, and access to finance. The study identifies resistance to change, high costs, and limited access to digital infrastructure as significant barriers. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for EdTech entrepreneurs to engage with stakeholders and develop value-added solutions that challenge the status quo. The findings underscore the importance of a supportive ecosystem and the challenges EdTech startups face in realizing their full potential. This comprehensive analysis offers valuable insights into the EdTech landscape in Bengaluru and provides a roadmap for overcoming the identified obstacles.AI Generated
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AbstractEducational technology startups, commonly referred to as EdTech, combine education and innovative technology to transform school environments and improve student learning outcomes. Set against the backdrop of primary and secondary schools, this exploratory study uncovers the most important factors affecting the growth of EdTech startups in Bengaluru, India. Drawing on Isenberg’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Model (2010, 2011) this exploratory, qualitative study concludes that “lack of conducive culture, infrastructure support, and finance as well as inadequacies in entrepreneurial approach and value addition” affect the growth of startups in EdTech Entrepreneurial landscape. -
34. Frugal Innovation: A Developmental Implications Perspective
Daniel Etse, Adela McMurray, Nuttawuth MuenjohnThe chapter delves into the developmental implications of frugal innovation, focusing on its role in addressing socio-economic needs in healthcare and water supply sectors. It examines two case studies: the eRanger motorcycle ambulance and the Tata Swach water purifier, to understand how these innovations meet pressing needs while also highlighting their limitations in addressing fundamental developmental challenges. The research underscores the importance of affordable solutions provided by frugal innovations but also emphasizes the need for more comprehensive approaches to tackle underlying issues such as poor infrastructure and lack of basic amenities.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter explores the implications of frugal innovation for socio-economic development. Two case studies, eRanger motorcycle ambulance and Tata Swach water purifier, are examined using the qualitative content analysis methodology. The findings suggest that frugal innovation’s developmental effect is nuanced; while it may enhance living conditions at the micro level and serve as a useful stop gap measure for managing developmental challenges, it might not be adequate for addressing the underlying factors of socio-economic underdevelopment. Related theoretical and practical implications highlight the need to recognise the developmental capabilities and limitations of frugal innovation in order to ensure its appropriate use for purposes of development.
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35. Correction to: Organizational and Individual Reality of Innovation: Similarities and Differences
Shashwat Shukla, Shantam Shukla, Sonam Chawla -
Backmatter
- Title
- The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Innovation
- Editors
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Adela McMurray
Nuttawuth Muenjohn
Chamindika Weerakoon
- Copyright Year
- 2021
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-3-030-59916-4
- Print ISBN
- 978-3-030-59915-7
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59916-4
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