What Is an Innovation Culture? A Semi-Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to conduct a semi-systematic literature review, to synthesize the knowledge surrounding the topics of innovation culture and to define an innovation culture.
Methodology: The author carried out a semi-systematic literature review of peer-reviewed articles from the past 5years (January 2015 to October 2020). Based on a total of 27 identified primary studies, found with specific keywords and exclusion criteria, the author developed a definition of what a current innovation culture consists of and what affects innovation culture in general.
Findings: This thesis found that a in order to achieve and master the concept of an innovation culture, a combination of several elements can aid an organization - among them are Leadership, Teamwork, Incentives, Networks and Learning. It is possible to achieve with less than the above, but the more categories an organization masters, the more likely is success of the innovation culture.
Conclusions: This thesis found that innovation culture exists and found a thorough definition. Depending on the state of an organization, different factors can influence the innovation culture and subsequent innovation performance. Two important factors are the willingness to innovate and the willingness to change.