A Few Characteristics of Global Innovative Firms (Play Ball)

(Illustrative Only)

Representing the game
of organizational 
development. 

Innovation is the name of the game, although we do not always play it well. There is a place for innovation, just as there is a place for time-tested traditions and proven methods. The most successful organizations understand when to preserve what works and when to embrace change.

Research consistently shows that innovative organizations differ from those that simply maintain the status quo. Companies that continually adapt and evolve tend to achieve higher levels of performance because they possess greater strategic capacity. They rely on evidence, scientific research, and data-driven decision-making. They seek shared knowledge, encourage collaboration, and connect people, ideas, and disciplines to create new opportunities.

History provides many examples of this pattern. Just as some societies flourished during periods such as the Renaissance while others lagged behind, an organization's ability to innovate is influenced by its culture and the broader environment in which it operates.

By developing effective leadership, expanding knowledge and skills, investing in resources, and creating processes that support innovation, organizations can build a culture of continuous improvement and become stronger, more competitive, and better prepared for the future.

A Global Study of Innovation-Oriented Firms: Dimensions, Practices, and Performance

• The study examined data from 1,265 companies across nine countries to better understand how innovation orientation influences organizational performance on a global scale.
• Organizations with stronger innovation orientations consistently demonstrated higher levels of business performance, reinforcing the importance of innovation as a strategic capability.
• High-performing innovative firms were more likely to use practices such as crowdsourcing, open innovation, design thinking, stage-gate systems, scientific discovery, big data analytics, innovation measurement, and innovation management software.
• Innovation orientation varied significantly across countries and regions, suggesting that national and cultural contexts influence how organizations develop and sustain innovation capabilities.
• The authors conclude that executives should strengthen leadership, knowledge management, organizational resources, and innovation-supportive processes to build an innovation-oriented culture that enhances long-term competitiveness and performance.

Wilson, G. A., Case, T., & Dobni, C. B. (2023). A global study of innovation-oriented firms: Dimensions, practices, and performance. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 187, 122257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122257