ACRL Roundtable Discussion Summary
From Innovation Wiki
Contents |
What is innovation?
"The successful creation of new market value through the satisfaction of customer needs with new technology" (Campbell, 2004).
Innovation isn't limited to technology; new technology might be the outcome of innovation. There is a difference between keeping track of technologies (technology management) and innovation.
| Types of innovation | |
|---|---|
| Product vs. Process | |
| Incremental vs. Fundamental | |
Most library innovations are service innovations. It may be either an innovative product or process that improves a service. Incremental innovations are more common in libraries - subtle improvements (incremental innovation) in services rather than complete revamping (fundamental innovation).
How to innovate
Similar to design process
| Innovation Cycle |
|---|
| Needfinding |
| Framing |
| Creative Combination |
| Prototyping |
How does your organization try to support innovation?
Roles in a culture of innovation
Morris (2007) describes three different roles that exist in a culture of innovation: Creative Geniuses, Innovation Champions, and Innovation Leaders. Libraries seemed to be filled with ideas, but too often, the creator of the idea is also assigned to implement the innovative idea without proper resources (the Innovation Leader's responsibility) or a network of supporters (the Innovation Champion's responsibility).
Does innovation develop from a top-down or bottom-up approach?
This question was raised, but no consensus was reached. Rather than looking at innovation as one or the other, the innovative organization should be open to both flows of innovative ideas. According to Morris, everyone in the organization should be recognized as a potential Creative Genius. All three roles must be fulfilled in order for innovation to occur, but the process of converting to the innovative organization could come from either the workers or the leaders.
Where are the champions?
The idea was presented that most non-innovative library cultures are lacking someone (or multiple people) to fill the role of Innovation Champion. Rather than Creative Geniuses consulting the Champions to identify people, tools, and funding opportunities that could support their innovative idea, the idea must be presented directly to the Innovation Leader. The Champion keeps the Geniuses from being the sole contributors to the innovative idea. Champions facilitate innovation, connecting like-minded people and ideas, discovering opportunities and resources for the fulfillment of innovative ideas, and mediating the relationship between Geniuses and Leaders. To say that Champions don't exist in library organizations may be partially false, but their role in most organizations does go unrecognized.
The Leader's role
While innovation is commonly considered a positive attribute of any organization, the support (or lack of support) of leadership is in direct opposition to the innovative culture. Funding, policies, and promotion and tenure requirements generally work against the organic nature of the innovative organization. Additionally, innovation is built upon a foundation of risk, instability, and failure - all of which are not readily welcomed into the academic library environment. Morris (2007) presents a comparison between the status quo organization and the innovative culture. This chart may present an opportunity for self-reflection by those leaders (and organizations) looking to be innovative. Do we "seek stability" or "embrace surprises"?