Institutional and Individual Triggers of Innovative Mindset in Knowledge Work

Abstract

Innovation is key for sustained economic development while knowledge management, in turn, is an important driver of innovation. Our empirical research project investigates the role of work arrangements and other institutional factors as well as individual characteristics on the efficiency of utilizing the creative potential of knowledge employees. This short conference paper presents some findings from that interdisciplinary project, focusing on work organizational and personal factors of the intensity of innovation oriented mindset in creative knowledge employees. Ordered probit regression estimates on a sample of 146 Estonian creative research and development employees are presented. The findings show that out of personal characteristics age and number of children have strong links with a mindset to innovate for the benefit of the employer – innovational activities appear to decrease with age and larger number of children appears to support innovativeness for the employer's benefit. Flexibility of work arrangements, total working hours, duration of the employment contract and salary level appear to be strongly related to the intensity of innovative mindset in knowledge employees. Improved principles of knowledge management may allow for capturing the intellectual potential of knowledge employees better.