Making knowledge workers more creative
Article Type: Abstracts From: Strategic Direction, Volume 24, Issue 10
Henard D.H. and , McFadyen M.A. Research Technology Management, March-April 2008, Vol. 51 No. 2, Start page: 40, No of pages: 7
Purpose – looks at how to make knowledge workers more creative. Design/methodology/approach – considers knowledge as a pyramid with an“acquired knowledge” baseline, a “unique knowledge” middle and a “creative knowledge” peak. Provides examples where industries moved their knowledge workers higher up the pyramid. Advises how others might do so. Findings – equates market positions with pyramid levels: baseline organizations are likely to settle for competitive parity; middle firms will have a competitive advantage through worker ability to leverage new knowledge in ways competitors may find difficult or time-consuming to emulate; and, those at peak are more difficult to copy because their continuous knowledge evolution is context-specific. Illustrates by examples from: United Airlines (airport ramp workers do race crew pit drills); Hewlett-Packard (IT utilized to make Internet protocol flat-panel TVs); Rite-Solutions R&D (created an internal “ideas stock market” where employees show what they are happy to “buy into”by investing coupons); and, InnoCentive (created a global network of 100,000 scientists where firms post R&D challenges and offer rewards for practical solutions). Explicates a roadmap for increasing creativity: adopt a capability mindset; promote cross-pollination by worker rotation; reduce pyramid barriers by breaking down functional “silos”; reward knowledge-sharing at individual and team level; and, focus knowledge enthusiasm on the aims of the organization. Research limitations/implications – none stated. Practical implications – demonstrates how an organization can boost creativity. Originality/value – gives examples where knowledge worker creativity was enhanced and provides a roadmap to help other climb the knowledge pyramid to the“creative knowledge” peak. ISSN: 0895-6308 Reference: 37AM091
Keywords: Competitive advantage, Organizational culture,Employee attitudes, Innovation, Knowledge management, Management attitudes,Management strategy, Research and development
