Creativity is a phenomenon which results in the creation of new ideas and if these ideas are transformed into useful products, this process is termed as innovation. Innovation is considered as one of the critical success factors by many enterprises around the world i.e. it is so important that if due consideration is not paid to it then it may even cause threat to the survival of an organization. Realizing its importance in this era and the ages to come, people have started to develop expertise in this area and a new field has already emerged which is termed as “Innovation management”. It is not just an area to be focused on by techie-companies rather it is a crucial factor for knowledge based economies as well. Considering innovation as an important resource for an enterprise, it is important to realize that this resource must be carefully managed and if resources are applied in the right direction with a set strategy then innovative outputs are so powerful which can not only lift the whole enterprise but can also take the whole society to the next level.
If we treat Pakistan as an enterprise and with an aim to transform it into a knowledge based economy, it will not be wrong to say that innovation management is a vital area which needs more focus. It will help in building a resourceful enterprise where innovation flourishes and entrepreneurial spirits are rightly fostered. In order to create such an environment, it is essential to analyze the current norms of the society which are favourable and adverse to foster innovation. We need to take a closer look at our society and need to figure out how certain factors found in our culture and norms are hindering the growth of innovation. A closer examine and research work will enter and explore the areas of culture, religious values and mindset, family values based on obedience and corporate culture – the output of this research work should include a deep analysis of aforementioned aspects and recommendations.
By Syed Adeel ur Rahman