What organizational practices drive the structuring and sustaining of innovation: A field study

This qualitative research study examines the organizational practices that are used in companies that have been able to sustain innovation as part of their business strategy. Currently there is a gap in the literature regarding what organizational practices support innovation. This study utilizes a cross-case comparison method to study a sample of three diverse organizations purposefully selected for their reputation for sustained innovation. This study draws out patterns across these organizations and uncovers some of the critical organizational practices that support innovation. This research reveals that successful innovators apply specific practices--related to culture, talent management, and organizational structure--while managing the three phases in the innovation process (1) generating ideas, (2) moving ideas to reality and (3) adopting ideas. Without this alignment of culture, talent, and structure, people throughout organizations may offer just a few novel ideas--not enough to innovate continually.