A1 Journal article (refereed)
On the way to creativity: Engineers as intrapreneurs in organizations (2007)
Menzel, H., Aaltio, I., & Ulijn, J. M. (2007). On the way to creativity: Engineers as intrapreneurs in organizations. Technovation, 27(12), 732-743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2007.05.004
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Menzel, Hanns; Aaltio, Iiris; Ulijn, Jan M.
Journal or series: Technovation
ISSN: 0166-4972
eISSN: 1879-2383
Publication year: 2007
Volume: 27
Issue number: 12
Pages range: 732-743
Publication country: Netherlands
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2007.05.004
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Abstract
Organizations often hide creativity and talent. This paper describes how to make engineers active in the field of intrapreneurship within large firms where they often are employed in R&D. This development is seen, in Europe at least, most desirable by the companies today. Technology has an extensive impact on the society and economy nowadays, and it is important to study how technological innovations appear and who is behind them. Entrepreneurship and organizational intrapreneurship are, in many cases, the basis of technological innovations and firm renewal. Engineers are the company's special professional workforce that has the role to produce and develop innovations. Since the world of high-tech companies needs the cooperation of many experts, engineers must be able to cooperate well with other fields of expertise such as marketing, research and development as well as external suppliers and service providers. Also, innovations today often ask not only for unique technical knowledge but also social knowledge to make these innovations meaningful. In this sense, social innovation parallels technical innovation. Thus, in this paper we explore the origins of the intrapreneurship capacity in engineering settings of hightech firms, thereby concentrating on three issues: Who is the intrapreneur and the engineer-intrapreneur in particular? What kind of managerial and organizational support is required to facilitate the intrapreneur's upcoming? What are the educational and work related consequences for practical intrapreneurship tool development?
Keywords: technology companies; intrapreneurship; engineers; product development; innovations; organisational culture; cooperation (general)
Free keywords: Intrapreneurship; Innovation; Culture; R&D; Engineers
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Preliminary JUFO rating: Not rated