Workplace innovation literature review: a converging or diverging research field?

2021 – The scientific and non-scientific literature of workplace innovation is reviewed and categorised against the type of research and the level of analysis. A description is provided how the term workplace innovation is interpreted by authors who apply the term. For the distinguished categories of workplace innovation research the prominent representative examples will be described, i.e. research that contributed to the understanding and dissemination of workplace innovation research. While there is much variety in definitions, approaches and applications, models and tool, measurement and operationalisation, the common ground is that workplace innovation is concerned with the ‘advancement of work’ and more of less contributes to a ‘good jobs strategy’. With this in mind the report outlines four social scientific research streams with ‘work’ as a central theme, that are possibly connected to advanced work and good jobs, namely sociology and organisation research, safety science and organisation research, economic strategy and human resources research, and psychology and behavioural research. It is concluded that convergence seems hard from a scientific point of view, but looks desirable from a practical standpoint. After all, nobody is against a high quality of work.

Reference

Peter R.A. Oeij, Steven Dhondt, Adela McMurray: ‘Workplace innovation literature review: a converging or diverging research field? A preparatory study for a research agenda.’

TNO report-  December 2021.

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