CCTP-673 Creating a Culture of Innovation

CCTP-673-01 Creating a Culture of Innovation

Faculty:

Nelson, Michael

Innovation is much more than just invention. It requires much more than just a good idea. It requires finding new ways to combine existing ideas, products, and services into something that customers (or citizens) will want. Organizations that foster innovation foster collaboration between employees with different backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints. They provide the information infrastructure and tools needed to "harness the wisdom of crowds" and tap into the knowledge scattered throughout the organization. They motivate employees, encourage life-long learning, and encourage them to take risks inherent in trying new things.

A number of writers are concerned that America may be losing its edge and that its "innovation engine" is sputtering. (Cf. The Gathering Storm from the National Research Council and Closing the Innovation Gap by Judith Estrin). What can be done to address these problems? What can organizations do to foster collaboration and innovative thinking? How can countries adopt policies that will provide the building blocks of innovation? What can individuals do to promote innovation among their co-workers and colleagues?

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2008-2009

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