Creating and implementing organizational innovation: The role of professional identity and network embeddedness in healthcare organizations
2018 (English)In: European Journal of Innovation Management, ISSN 1460-1060, E-ISSN 1758-7115, Vol. 21, no 3, p. 384-401Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Purpose
Research on organizational innovation remains relatively scarce, particularly with respect to social structures and processes. In contrast to product innovation, organizational innovation relies more on informal processes and relationships among members of the organization than on formal processes. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of these processes at the micro level.
Design/methodology/approach
Building on a process model of organizational innovation, the authors study the case of a dermatology department of a large hospital in France and conceptualize organizational innovation as the outcome of a social system represented by networks of relationships, professional identities and formal structures.
Findings
The findings suggest that informal networks support the early phase of the invention and development of organizational innovation. However, the later phases depend more on the formal structure. A mismatch between professional identities and formal roles and positions can prevent the institutionalization and legitimation of organizational innovation in the final phases of the innovation process.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to one case, a department in a French hospital. The authors call for future research to study different industry/country contexts.
Practical implications
Professional organizations such as hospitals should encourage better interactions between actors of different professional identities to support the development and implementation of organizational innovation. Reducing the perceived hierarchy of different professional identities may also be useful.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2018. Vol. 21, no 3, p. 384-401
Keywords [en]
Professional identity, Organizational innovation, Hospital, Healthcare, Implementation of innovation, Network embeddedness
National Category
Business Administration Information Systems, Social aspects Computer and Information Sciences Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Other Engineering and Technologies not elsewhere specified
Research subject
Business Administration
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-67648DOI: 10.1108/EJIM-06-2017-0068ISI: 000433073400002OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kau-67648DiVA, id: diva2:1218273
2018-06-142018-06-142018-06-18Bibliographically approved