A Conceptual Model of Organizational Innovation: An Empirical Study on Universities of Technology in Taiwan

Abstract

In Taiwan, universities of technology within vocational education system are facing difficult challenges. Therefore, the universities of technology need to be innovated in order to advance the quality of vocational education and enhance their competitive advantage. However, there are few studies centering on how to facilitate innovation of universities of technology. In the proposed model, the constructs of capability of organizational innovation are organizational structure, organizational culture, organizational learning and reward system. The performances of innovation projects are promoted by facilitating factors of innovation. The facilitating factors of innovation include human factors, facilitating unit, resources allocation, routinization and consensus achievement. This research adopts multiple case study design with two universities of technology in central Taiwan. The universities and associated innovation projects are our unit of analysis. The data are analyzed by pattern matching method with nonequivalent dependent variables as pattern. We conclude: 1. capability of organizational innovation positively implies generation of innovation ideas and activities; 2. capability of organizational innovation positively implies innovation performance; 3. innovation ideas and activities promoted by facilitating factors of innovation positively imply innovation performance.