Successful innovation and the alignment of knowledge workers at the executive, management, and technical specialist levels

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Gaimon, Cheryl; Carrillo, Janice
• 署名单位: University System of Georgia; Georgia Institute of Technology; State University System of Florida; University of Florida
• 刊物名称: PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1059-1478
• DOI: 10.1111/poms.13853
• 发表日期: 2022
• 页码: 4589-4598
• 关键词: innovation; KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT; knowledge worker; organizational alignment; project management

摘要

This paper focuses on the critical roles of knowledge workers when a firm pursues a major innovation project. In this context, we consider knowledge workers as those who contribute to a firm's performance at the executive, management, and technical specialist levels. Technical specialists include persons with advanced skills in engineering, analytics, statistics, science, and economics. By analyzing a series of case studies and personal interviews, we demonstrate that alignment (i.e., coordination, integration, and collaboration) among these knowledge workers is critical for the success of an innovation project. The paper concludes with a discussion of the responsibilities of knowledge workers at the executive, management, and technical specialist levels to ensure the necessary alignment occurs for successful innovation.