Organizational Innovation

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- Is there a relationship between organizational innovation and so-called "out-of-the-box" thinking by the individuals that comprise the organization? Please explain.

Yes, there is a close relation between the organizational innovation and "out of the box" thinking by the individuals in the organization. If the organizational culture and structure is such that it fosters creative, innovation and personal growth, the employees will be motivated to indulge in such "out of the box thinking" and will dare to experiment with new and innovative ideas.

Such creative or out of box thinking will be supressed if organizational structure and culture does not allow the employees to provide their creative inputs and suggestions and does not pay attention to such creative instinct among the employees.

Thus, the corporate culture of any business entity provides the platform for such out of box thinking. The management of such progressive organizations must motivate and promote such entrepreneurial and creative instincts among the employees and allow them to communicate such ideas with others, be it their colleagues or seniors, freely. This will boost the morale of the employees and will remove their fears about conveying such out of the box ideas to others.

- Drawing from your own experience, what techniques have been effective in stimulating out-of-the-box thinking?

As discussed above, the support and motivation from the top management along with provision of a healthy corporate culture which fosters creativity and entrepreneurial spirit are some of the key techniques or strategies to stimulate out of the box thinking among the employees or to stimulate their creative instincts.

Organizations can use techniques like brainstorming, wherein employees can discuss their views, opinions and suggestions with their colleagues and seniors and provide their creative input on various aspects. Further, organizations should also provide the much needed flexibility to employees in order to make them more innovative and creative.

Also, to take advantage of such out of the box thinking, management can provide incentives and rewards to the most creative individuals or individuals who have provided benefits to the organization via their out of the box thinking.

More information on techniques from external source:

1. Create a safe haven for new thinking.

Use a safe haven to encourage a broad range of ideas, including those not immediately seen as feasible, or even "sensible," for they are where the seeds of innovation can be found.

Above all, people must feel safe in pushing the envelope. New or unfamiliar ideas are almost surely "wrong" in their first iteration. They should be considered starting points on which to build and encourage further thinking. An immediate ...