A case analysis of managing "Maverick" innovation units. Issue 5 (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Isherwood, Andrew; Tassabehji, Rana
• Is Part Of: International journal of information management. Volume 36:Issue 5(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 793
• Page End: 798
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Disruptive innovation -- IS alignment -- Spin off -- Business unit; Social sciences -- Information services -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Information science -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Knowledge management -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Documentation, Services de -- Périodiques; Sciences sociales -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'information -- Périodiques; Systèmes d'information de gestion -- Périodiques; Information science; Management information systems; Social sciences -- Information services; Social sciences -- Research; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 025.52068
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2016.05.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-4012

Abstract

Abstract: This case study illustrates the issues that arise when a separate "maverick" business unit focusing on developing a new and disruptive innovation is spun off from the parent company. Companies in the high technology manufacturing and development sector have to continually innovate in order to survive and grow in increasingly turbulent and competitive markets. It is common practice for the parent company to spin off separate business units that can incubate and capitalise on the development of new technological innovations in order to grow and create new markets. The case analysis underlines the problems that arise when ICT systems and operational processes are not strategically aligned and imposed by the parent company. It also demonstrates how innovative business units can harness their unique talents and apply them to solving operational problems. By developing a new bespoke system aligned with the maverick unit's emergent processes, the maverick business unit was pulled back from the brink of disaster to a successful and profitable business unit.