Innovation Agents in the Public Sector: Applying Champion and Promotor Theory to Explore Innovation in the Australian Public Service. Issue 1 (4th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bankins, Sarah; Denness, Bonnie; Kriz, Anton; Molloy, Courtney
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of public administration. Volume 76:Issue 1(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 137
• Publication Date: 2016-05-04
• Subjects: innovation champions -- innovation promotors -- Australian Public Service -- public sector innovation -- organisational power; Public administration -- Australia -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Australia -- Periodicals; Australia -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 351.9405
• DOI: 10.1111/1467-8500.12198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0313-6647

Abstract

Abstract : Innovation is critical to organisational success and is a process steered, and potentially thwarted, by individuals. However, despite the importance of public sector innovation given the complexity of policy issues faced and the sector's specific contextual features, our understanding of innovation processes in government requires expansion. This study, using in‐depth case analyses of three Australian Public Service agencies, focuses on understanding the 'human component' of the innovation process by drawing on both innovation champion and promotor theories to explore, through the lens of organisational power, how multiple human agents progress public sector innovations. The results highlight the key, and often tandem, roles of individuals at multiple organisational levels who work to inspire and motivate others to progress an innovation (champions) and those with specific power bases who help overcome organisational barriers to innovation (promotors). Abstract : Innovation is critical to organisations' success and people are critical for driving innovation. Three case studies of Australian Public Service agencies found that innovation agents operated at multiple hierarchical levels, with individuals potentially assuming several roles to inspire and motivate others and utilise power bases to overcome barriers to innovation.