Title: Understanding the linkages between flexibility strategy and innovation

Authors: Wuttigrai Ngamsirijit

Addresses: College of Innovation, Thammasat University, 2 Prachan Road, Bangkok, 10200, Thailand

Abstract: This paper aims at providing understandings of the linkages between being flexible and the innovation of the organisation. The paper describes the possible linkages between flexibility and innovation due to the uncertainties in the innovation process. By focusing on process perspectives, the issues relating to flexibility and innovation are determined and the linkages between these issues are identified. Three issues of flexibility are discussed as means to facilitate the innovation process when facing various uncertainties. The outcomes of this paper show the importance of flexibility for the organisation that desires higher level of innovation, and reveal the issues that link flexibility and innovation process. In addition, it provides the opportunity for a much richer understanding of how flexibility and innovation can be related and also produced a number of research questions for further innovation studies.

Keywords: flexibility strategy; innovation; uncertainty.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2010.031643

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2010 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.135 - 148

Published online: 16 Feb 2010 *

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