Practice‐based innovation: a learning perspective

TLDR

The paper explores practice‑based innovation and proposes a framework for conceptualizing and analyzing such processes in organizations. The argument is built through conceptual analysis and theoretical synthesis grounded in innovation, organizational change, and individual and organizational learning research. The framework depicts practice‑based innovation as a cyclical process of adaptive and developmental learning driven by contradictions between explicit and implicit work dimensions, linking innovation research with workplace learning.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the idea of practice‐based innovation and to propose a framework that can be used to conceptualize and analyze practice‐based innovation processes in organizations. Design/methodology/approach The argument is driven by conceptual analysis and theoretical synthesis based on theory and research on innovation, organizational change, individual and organizational learning. Findings The proposed framework portrays practice‐based innovation as a cyclical process of adaptive and developmental learning driven by contradictions and tensions between explicit and implicit dimensions of work processes. Originality/value The paper adds to previous research through its focus on practice‐based innovation and the conceptualization of this notion in terms of learning in and through everyday work. It thus creates connections between innovation research and research on workplace learning.