Developing a framework to facilitate a radical innovation culture in mature manufacturing organisations

Abstract

The main purpose of this project was to investigate the impact of organisational culture and leadership practices on radical innovation enhancement in mature manufacturing organisations. The project is intended to advance understating of the key role played by these factors in this vital sector. This study was exploratory and interpretative in nature, and a social constructivist approach using inductive design was found appropriate for achieving its major goals. A qualitative approach was adopted. The study seeks to provide data that will help address the research gap. This data was gathered using a combination of semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and observation. A theoretical framework was designed to address the research questions and objectives. The research data was collected through the use of in-depth focus interviews. Participants were recruited from 18 large mature manufacturing organisations. After 21 interviews, a saturation point was reached. The findings of the study presented a variety of factors in the domains of culture, values, and setting that were identified as significant in affecting leadership performance. The results of this study proposed a framework with recommended interventions to facilitate a culture of radical innovation in mature manufacturing organisations. The emerged themes of the study played a key role in developing this framework. The findings should make a major contribution to the field of leadership and radical innovation and the process of change management, by providing empirical data on the significance of leadership's crucial role in creating a culture of radical innovation in the mature manufacturing sector in general.