CREATING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION TO SUPPORT KEY COMPETENCES DEVELOPMENT IN DIGITAL ECONOMY

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a study about the innovation culture of a Portuguese SME, which has developed a new service to promote digital economy in Portugal. The research question is: What are the main factors that allow a small organisation to be successful innovating in digital economy? The study was conducted in the Portuguese SME Hi-Media witch culture is characterized by employee’s values – participation and involvement and managers behaviour influencing and promoting innovation and experimentation without risk constraints. It was applied a qualitative research methodology and the main techniques to collect data were document analysis, observation and Interviews based on a questionnaire. The main findings of the study were the acknowledgement of an emerging culture of innovation promoted by the transmission of a vision and a strategic intent by top and middle management with tolerance to risk, mistakes, and failure, the support for intrapreneurs empowering cross-functional teams and creating a strong sense of community. The key implications to practice were the awareness of an existing link with the organisational competencies, the workers know-how and the customer needs, driving to a learning environment where new digital services and products are created. The paper is structured as follows: literature review on innovation concept and innovation culture. It also analyses the origins, obstacles and facilitators of the innovation that promotes digital economy.