Creating, growing and sustaining efficient innovation teams

Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 16, Issue 7

DeCusatis C. Creativity and Innovation Management (UK), June 2008, Vol. 17 No. 2, Start page: 155, No. of pages: 10

Purpose – discusses the factors that affect how well individuals collaborate with each other, the skills needed in innovatory teams and sets out how to build such a team. Design/methodology/approach – draws on experience of studying the development and requirements of successful teams at IBM, reviews the typical personality traits of the current generation of innovators; identifies how these combine with the working and innovation styles of four types of innovatory teams – genius teams, virtual teams, improv teams and foursight teams (defined as being the type of team that is likely to achieve breakthrough innovation); and, focusing on foursight teams, sets out roles and skills needed within them. Findings – suggests that the preferences and skills of the current generation are most suited to foursight teams and that the tools associated with building this type of team might be the most productive for organizations seeking to develop their innovatory capabilities. Research limitations/implications – outlines the research method. Originality/value – offers an analysis of innovation team types. ISSN: 0963-1690 Reference: 37AM906

Keywords: Teams, Innovation, Team building