Enabling Innovation Champions in Organizations - Results of a Systematic Literature Analysis

Abstract

Based on a systematic literature analysis, this paper takes stock of the current landscape of research on innovation champions from an individual and organizational perspective: 149 journals and conference proceedings were examined on the topic of innovation champions. 85 articles were identified as relevant and systematically categorized according to two perspectives by synthesizing enablers of innovation champions on the individual (e.g. skills) and organizational level (e.g. knowledge management). While our analysis illuminates a high variety of enablers that influence innovation champions, the descriptive findings show a stronger focus of innovation champion studies on individual level enablers. Our literature review points out the lack of research on negative individual characteristics (e.g. narcissism), on the innovation champion in the IS context and on formalized groups of innovation champions (e.g. organizational units).

How business process management culture supports digital innovation: a quantitative assessment

“…This relationship is also studied in the context of public organizations. For example, Reibenspiess et al . (2019) argue that “[if] the values represented be new Information Systems are in discrepancy with organizational values […]” (p. 2), ODICs cannot be built.…”

“…In their case study on Svahn et al (2017) show, for example, that DI requires new innovation capabilities and an organizational culture that fosters collaboration and, at the same time, balances organizational control and flexibility. Similarly, Reibenspiess et al (2019) highlight that certain organizational factors and abilities can lead to the creation of a new innovation culture. This innovation-oriented culture is normally characterized by flat hierarchies, decentralization and democratized decision-making procedures.…”

Grace, place and space: fostering employee technological innovation in the new normal

“…That same connection is much more difficult to make between time off and technological innovation. While space is a necessary ingredient for individual innovation, it is not causal (Reibenspiess et al, 2019). No one can guarantee that extra space will lead to any innovation, much less innovation that provides compensatory value.…”

“…That same connection is much more difficult to make between time off and technological innovation. While space is a necessary ingredient for individual innovation, it is not causal (Reibenspiess et al. , 2019).…”

Distributed IT championing: A process theory

“…The actions of champions (i.e. individuals proactively going beyond their formal job requirements in support of an information technology (IT) implementation) during IT projects have long been identified as key to successful IT implementations (Akkermans and van Helden, 2002;Howell and Higgins, 1990;Parr and Shanks, 2000;Reibenspiess et al, 2018;Tona et al, 2016). Much of the championing work to date has focused on the champion, as an individual (Rost et al, 2007).…”