Innovation in public sector organisations: a preliminary literature review and some implications for research in developing countries

Abstract

The relationship between the innovative capabilities of public sector organisations and the underlying learning processes has only recently been explored in the research in public sector innovation. This paper presents a preliminary literature review of empirical studies published in the last two decades focused on organisational learning and innovative capabilities within the area of public sector innovation. This review shows the advances in the study of organisational learning efforts improving existed innovative capabilities and organisational performance, mostly in the context of advanced economies. However, the process through which organisations engage in efforts to build innovative capabilities has hardly been explored. Allegedly, public sector organisations in developing countries will greatly benefit by exploring the process of innovative capability building, the underlying role of learning, and its outcomes. This review contributes to our understanding of innovation in public sector organisations and the process of innovative capability building, providing suggestions for future research.