Title: Human resources management and its impact on innovation performance in companies

Authors: Carmen Perez Cano, Pilar Quevedo Cano

Addresses: Departamento de Ingenieria de Organizacion, Administracion de Empresas y Estadistica, Politechnic University of Madrid, Carretera de Valencia Km, 7, Madrid 28031, Spain. ' Departamento de Ingenieria de Organizacion, Administracion de Empresas y Estadistica, Politechnic University of Madrid, Carretera de Valencia Km, 7, Madrid 28031, Spain

Abstract: This study is based on the recent literature concerning the management of Human Resources (HR) and, more specifically, how this may influence innovation in a company. We start with the hypothesis that certain management practices in this area (goal recognition and reward for achievement, team work organisation, the creation of a common language and the sharing of experiences amongst R&D workers, inter alia) will have a positive effect on innovation performance in the firm. The influence of industrial sector to which a firm belongs and the combined application of these politics are also considered. These hypotheses are tested with a survey of 670 innovations developed by the Spanish firms.

Keywords: human resources management; HRM; technical personnel; scientific personnel; innovation performance; innovation management; Spain; goal recognition; achievement rewards; teamwork organisation; common language; experience sharing; R&D; research and development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2006.009227

International Journal of Technology Management, 2006 Vol.35 No.1/2/3/4, pp.11 - 28

Published online: 13 Mar 2006 *

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