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Getting the Measure of Employee‐Driven Innovation and Its Workplace Correlates

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  • Alan Felstead
  • Duncan Gallie
  • Francis Green
  • Golo Henseke

Abstract

Innovation is traditionally viewed as an activity which involves a small band of highly skilled workers. By examining the results of a British survey of employees, this article breaks with this approach. It makes two distinctive contributions. First, it provides new insights into the extent to which employees of all kinds come up with ideas about improving the work processes they use, the products they make and services they provide. Secondly, it examines the correlates of this behaviour. The results show that the strength of employee involvement, the nature of workplace support and development and performance management are strongly associated with employees’ willingness and ability to come up with innovative ideas. However, some of these features of work have declined in Britain in recent years, while economic outcomes often associated with innovation — such as increased productivity and stronger economic growth — have stalled.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Felstead & Duncan Gallie & Francis Green & Golo Henseke, 2020. "Getting the Measure of Employee‐Driven Innovation and Its Workplace Correlates," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 58(4), pages 904-935, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:58:y:2020:i:4:p:904-935
    DOI: 10.1111/bjir.12528
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Janine Berg & Francis Green & Laura Nurski & David A Spencer, 2023. "Risks to job quality from digital technologies: Are industrial relations in Europe ready for the challenge?," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 29(4), pages 347-365, December.
    2. Nathalie Greenan & Silvia Napolitano, 2023. "Investir dans la capacité d’apprentissage de l’organisation pour la double transition digitale et écologique," Post-Print hal-04404184, HAL.
    3. Damian Grimshaw & Marcela Miozzo, 2021. "Human Capital and productivity: a call for new interdisciplinary research," Working Papers 006, The Productivity Institute.

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