Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Department
Learning, Leadership and Change
First Advisor
Brett Taylor
First Committee Member
Fred Estes
Second Committee Member
Robert Brodnick
Abstract
The inquiry concerned gaining insights into environmental elements needed within California public-sector organizations to increase employees’ willingness to share innovative ideas. Although research exists regarding the need for service innovation and employees as fruitful sources of innovative ideas, there have been limited studies concerning public-sector organizations and the best method to solicit employee ideas. The data collection for this qualitative research study consisted of a series of interviews with front-line, non-supervisory civil servants. The results provide insights and information on how public-sector organizations may foster a culture that promotes and encourages employee-led innovation. The themes that emerged were (a) transparency in the process of sharing ideas and what is needed to feel motivated to participate in a formal submission process; (b) recognition and follow up, including which types of follow up and recognition are needed to feel the idea submission was worth the effort; (c) safe space including what needs to be present within the process for employees to feel safe to participate; (d) organizational buy-in including the need for encouragement and demonstrated support from all levels of leadership. These themes contributed to form the following recommendations for organizations to create a process and culture for soliciting ideas from employees: (a) establishing a transparent and easy to use process; (b) utilizing trusted and unbiased evaluators to review ideas; (c) providing meaningful and specific follow-up on ideas submitted; (d) ensuring there is no public criticism of ideas, but having public praise for submitting ideas; creating an organizational culture to be promoting and supporting participation in these processes. The data analysis revealed several implications: a significant disconnect between what employees' need to be comfortable sharing ideas and the existing process; the insufficient efforts of current leaders to promote and execute innovation within their organizations; the need for a paradigm shift to embrace a culture and operations that support innovation at all levels of an organization.
Pages
121
Recommended Citation
Franklin, Rebecca N.. (2020). Innovation Within Regulations: Gaining Insight On Cultivating Employee-Led Innovation In California Public-Sector Organizations. University of the Pacific, Dissertation. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3704
Included in
Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, Other Business Commons, School Psychology Commons
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