Innovation in business
I. Introduction:
According to Baregheh et al, innovation is a multi-layered tool where ideas are converted into improved processes, or commodities, or results or services (2009). In a hyper- competitive environment, organisations rely on innovation as a vehicle to further advance, thrive, challenge, and maintain a comparative advantage over other organisations in the same field.
II. Discussion:
According to Humanitarian Innovation Fund, the Bessant and Tidd model of innovation are four intertwined complementary components, where positive change is necessary to secure a conducive environment for sustainable innovation in an organisation as follows (2014):
Position innovation where changes in the context of how clients perceive the product and how the product is communicated would push staff to further innovate. For instance, by safeguarding the social and ecological issues in the innovation product Iife-cycle (issues of child labour etc.), the organisation protects its credibility and guarantees future investments. Also, ensuring quality sustainable products will positively change clients’ perceptions, and prompt staff to innovate.
Process innovation that not only covers leadership styles, approaches, and corporate culture, but also the techniques:
With the participation of staff, management to develop a sustainable strategy with focused, well understood and accepted goals that embraces innovation, while allocating sufficient resources (human and financial). This creates an environment that enables the organisation to better comprehend, predict and respond to the changing environment that shapes the competitive edge;
The flexibility and ability to re-organise the organisational structure towards a more decentralised structure that ensures team autonomy and enhances the organisation’s ability and capacity to innovate (i.e. use of technology);
Senior management’s flexibility, commitment, support and willingness to take calculated risks;
A
According to Baregheh et al, innovation is a multi-layered tool where ideas are converted into improved processes, or commodities, or results or services (2009). In a hyper- competitive environment, organisations rely on innovation as a vehicle to further advance, thrive, challenge, and maintain a comparative advantage over other organisations in the same field.
II. Discussion:
According to Humanitarian Innovation Fund, the Bessant and Tidd model of innovation are four intertwined complementary components, where positive change is necessary to secure a conducive environment for sustainable innovation in an organisation as follows (2014):
Position innovation where changes in the context of how clients perceive the product and how the product is communicated would push staff to further innovate. For instance, by safeguarding the social and ecological issues in the innovation product Iife-cycle (issues of child labour etc.), the organisation protects its credibility and guarantees future investments. Also, ensuring quality sustainable products will positively change clients’ perceptions, and prompt staff to innovate.
Process innovation that not only covers leadership styles, approaches, and corporate culture, but also the techniques:
With the participation of staff, management to develop a sustainable strategy with focused, well understood and accepted goals that embraces innovation, while allocating sufficient resources (human and financial). This creates an environment that enables the organisation to better comprehend, predict and respond to the changing environment that shapes the competitive edge;
The flexibility and ability to re-organise the organisational structure towards a more decentralised structure that ensures team autonomy and enhances the organisation’s ability and capacity to innovate (i.e. use of technology);
Senior management’s flexibility, commitment, support and willingness to take calculated risks;
A
References: Child, J. Organisation: Contemporary Principles and Practice (2005), Blackwell Publishing pages 380-387 Doran, J United Nations Children’s Fund - UNICEF (2009) Remedial worksheets University of Liverpool/Laureate Online Education (2014) ‘Strategic organization for innovation and growth’ [Lecture notes], Strategic Organisation Module