Culture of innovation

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term innovation culture is understood to mean all norms , values and attitudes that shape the behavior of the people involved in the innovation process and on which they orient themselves. Since innovation processes are regularly cross-departmental, the innovation culture acts as a kind of cross-sectional culture that is shaped and supported by all those involved in the process.

The innovation culture describes a specific form of the organizational culture , which is primarily intended to promote the generation of innovations in the company. The positive incentives for employees created by the innovation culture lead to an increase in the company's innovative strength.

history

The topic of innovation culture has been considered in the business literature for over forty years (e.g. Burns / Stalker, 1961) and has been cited as an independent sub-function of organizational culture for several years.

Features of an innovation culture

In order to be able to perform its coordination, integration and motivation functions in the innovation process, an innovation culture should above all meet the following characteristics:

  • An essential component is trust in the employees. Innovative companies establish a culture of trust in which employees can act independently and have creative freedom. Effective work, management and participation concepts are the prerequisite for this.
  • A high priority for innovation and creativity is an important characteristic of innovative corporate cultures . This presupposes anchoring in the symbol and value system (e.g. in the company principles and through a credible "example" by the top management) in order to make the culture visible and tangible for the employees.
  • Innovative employees are supported and specifically promoted. “Innovation champions” are clearly recognized, and particularly innovative employees are rewarded and encouraged to give presentations and publications ( incentive system ). The employees often participate directly in the success of the innovation projects or receive an "innovation bonus".
  • Innovation projects are always fraught with risks and occasional failures are therefore inevitable. Cultures that promote innovation are therefore characterized by a high tolerance towards mistakes and failures (“ trial and error ”). Mistakes are not sanctioned, but seen as an opportunity to learn for the future.
  • Ultimately, information and communication behavior is required that does not suppress important information, but makes it available to the people involved in the innovation process in good time and to a sufficient extent. This in turn has a lot to do with mutual trust among employees and in the company's culture of innovation.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ D. Vahs, H. Trautwein: Innovation culture as a success factor in innovation management. In: io Management. Vol. 69, No. 7/8, 2000, p. 22. (manuscript version).
  2. ↑ KP Wiedemann, A. Lippold, H. Buxel: Status quo of theoretical and empirical innovation culture research as well as construct conceptualization of the innovation culture phenomenon. In: The market. Volume 47, No. 184, 1/2008, p. 44.

literature

  • H. Ernst: Corporate culture and innovation success - an empirical analysis. In: Schmalenbach's journal for business research. Vol. 55, February 2003, pp. 23-44.
  • T. Burns, GM Stalker: The Management of Innovation. New York 1961.
  • R. Krumm, C. Buchholz: 30 minutes for culture of innovation. Gabal Verlag, Offenbach 2018, ISBN 978-3-86936-842-9 .
  • D. Vahs, R. Burmester: Innovation management: From the product idea to successful marketing. 3. Edition. Stuttgart 2005.
  • D. Vahs, H Trautwein: Innovation culture as a success factor in innovation management. In: io Management. 69th vol., No. 7/8, 2000, pp. 20-26. (Manuscript version; PDF; 164 kB)
  • Benno van Aerssen: Revolutionary innovation management. With a culture of innovation and new ideas for sustainable market success. mi-Wirtschaftsbuch, 2009, ISBN 978-3-86880-018-0 .