Creating a Culture of Innovation

Ian Williamson, Melbourne Business School

Abstract

As many domestic markets become mature and global competition increases many organizations face the challenge on becoming more customer and service focused in order to reach their growth goals. This issue is especially acute for organizations that have traditionally competed in manufacturing settings but now wish to compete in service-based sectors. In response to this challenge many organizations often focus on the creation of new products. However, in and of itself product innovation may not guarantee organizational success. The successful implementation of any new business strategy also requires process innovations for how organizations manage their employees. Yet research suggests that many, if not most, process innovations are not successful. In this session participants will learn strategies about how organizations can reorient their processes and their workforces to successfully implement management innovations.