Complexity of Innovation in the public sector: A workgroup-level analysis of related factors and outcomes

Abstract

Complex innovation incorporates more thanone innovation type. Using the number ofdimensions of the most significant innovationimplemented by each public employeesworkgroup as a proxy for innovation complexity,this study explores factors that areassociated with complexity and examineshow complexity affects innovation outcomes.Employing a sample of 4,369 AustralianGovernment employees, we find that themore complex the innovation, the greaterthe number of barriers a workgroup has toface in its implementation. A broader (butselective) range of idea sources and a moredecentralized workplace where both individualand team creativity is encouragedincrease the likelihood of implementing complexinnovations. Innovation complexity ispositively correlated with the variety of beneficialoutcomes, suggesting both policy andmanagement interest in supporting complexinnovation in the public sector.