Measuring Innovation Culture: A Synthesis of the Innovation Culture Construct and Identification of its Research Clusters

Abstract

We provide an integrative review of the previous research that has measured the innovation culture construct. Our data reveal that the construct has been composed of 28 different dimensions in previous research. Furthermore, these dimensions can be graphed along two axes: presence of the dimension in the literature and importance of the dimension within every single research project in which it appears. This analysis shows that the dimensions can be integrated into a four-quadrant matrix: 1) core dimensions: those high in both importance and presence; 2) niche dimensions: those high in importance but relatively low in presence; 3) minor dimensions: those low in both importance and presence; and 4) generic dimensions: those low in importance but high in presence in the literature. Moreover, by conducting a multiple correspondence analysis along with cluster analysis, we can provide a detailed structure of the construct by revealing that scholars have measured innovation culture in seven fundamental different ways, through 1) employee characteristics, 2) external orientation and strategy, 3) internal communication, 4) collaboration, 5) willingness to change, 6) technology employed, and 7) adoption of new ideas. We finally provide a discussion section and suggest areas that have the greatest potential for future exploration in measuring the innovation culture construct.