Workplace Innovation Context in Poland: Between Structure and Agency

Abstract

The cultural and institutional context in Poland can influence patterns supportive for workplace innovation. Highlighting technological innovation only and neglecting the workplace improvement in the case of Poland is associated with low work engagement. It is recognized that one of the central aspects of workplace innovation is the active involvement of employees in the innovation process. Hence, we investigate the following research questions: What is the role of employees in the process of designing and implementing workplace innovation and change in Poland? What is the impact of formal and informal organisational structures in this process? The chapter uses a qualitative approach based on in depth interviews and focus groups to answer those questions. We conclude that interaction between the individual (employee) and the structural level (organisation) may result in a gradual destruction of innovation, because innovation processes in Polish companies seem contrary to what workplace innovation WPI) stands for: WPI stresses an engaging role for employees to succeed in innovation, while Polish companies seem to do the opposite.