Gallou, Fabrice, Grandeury, Arnaud and Jones, Graham (2022) Cultural Diversity Drives Innovation: Does Institutional Residence Time Impact Behaviors? Journal of Innovation Management, 9 (9). pp. 1-9. ISSN 2183-0606

Abstract

nnovation activities in large organizations are typically conducted by
teams. Previous research noted the positive correlation between innovation
performance and the cultural diversity of teams, wherein people from different
backgrounds approach problems differently and have differing tolerances for
risk. In a long term extension of these studies we aim to determine if these
proclivities attenuate over time, as members modify & harmonize their behaviors
driven by cultural norms of the organization. In an early read out from this effort,
cohorts of innovation team members across several continents and representing
six of the ten global cultural clusters completed a series of team analytics and
questionnaires. The analytics were derived from cross-cultural communication
frameworks which have been utilized to assess how culturally associated values
influence behavioral traits. The respondents invited to participate were directly
involved in innovation projects either as part of their main function or through
membership of a specific innovation team and represented a range of experience
levels. Subjects were also invited to offer written commentary on team and
organizational culture as it applies to innovation. A definitive trend was
uncovered wherein employee service time (in years) correlated with moves from
cultural group norms towards more moderated, centrist decision making traits
and lowered risk taking appetite. Further, specific indicators which correlate to
disruptive ideation and innovation performance softened as a function of service
time, independent of cultural origins. Together, this may signal a need for
innovation teams to be mindful that balance is maintained with respect to
members service time and new team entrants are supported to pursue high-risk
high-reward ideas.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Diversity, culture, innovation, ideation, disruption, normalization
Date Deposited:	31 May 2022 00:45
Last Modified:	31 May 2022 00:45
URI:	https://oak.novartis.com/id/eprint/46601