Title: Similar structures, different interpretations: perceived possibilities for employee-driven innovation in two teams within an industrial organisation

Authors: Tea Lempiälä; Sari Yli-Kauhaluoma; Jaana Näsänen

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, School of Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15500, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland ' Department of Political and Economic Studies, Consumer Society Research Centre, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 24, Unioninkatu 40, FIN 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, School of Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15500, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland

Abstract: Our study discusses how two teams within a similar structural setting perceive their ability to engage in employee-driven innovation in a highly differing manner. We show how the way in which the team members perceived their role and relevance in the organisation influenced whether they experienced the organisational structures as rigid and unnegotiable or flexible and permitting of proactive innovation efforts. Drawing on literature on employee-driven innovation and idea championing, we contribute to the discussion of how employees can be supported to grow into idea champions (and hence to perceive opportunities, rather than limitations) in industrial organisations.

Keywords: employee-driven innovation; idea championing; managerial support; case study; qualitative research; industrial organisations; innovation structures; intrapreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2018.092958

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2018 Vol.22 No.4/5, pp.362 - 380

Accepted: 23 Nov 2016
Published online: 04 Jul 2018 *

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