The role of work and organizational psychology for workplace innovation practice: From short-sightedness to eagle view

Abstract

This paper is premised on the observation that the potential of Work and Organizational (WO) Psychologists to successfully implement workplace innovation (WPI) practices and, in turn, improve the quality of work and organizational performance is greatly underused. One reason for this is that WPI practice often adopts a more specialised approach and single discipline focus rather than an integrated perspective. An integrated approach would imply understanding WPI from the strategy, structure, and culture perspectives. We outline ways in which WPI practice can appreciate and use the potential of WO psychology as well as how WO Psychologists can broaden their focus and strengthen their contribution to WPI practice.