Measuring workplace innovation: Scale development

ABSTRACT

The innovation field suffers from the absence of a validated workplace innovation scale. The development of such a scale is essential for managers to self-assess workplace innovation performance in their organizations. This study reports on the development of a workplace innovation scale. Survey responses gathered from 181 Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were analyzed using a partial least squares (PLS) structural equations modeling (SEM) approach. Supporting the multidimensionality of workplace innovation, 24 items were found that constituted a second-order workplace innovation construct that reflected four dimensions of workplace innovation: individual innovation, team innovation, organizational innovation, and innovation climate.

KEYWORDS:

• Innovation
• small & medium enterprises
• quantitative
• scale development