Short answer
Focus on cultivating the identified 'building blocks' of innovation to foster a more adaptive and transformative organizational culture within non-profits.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Fisher Digital Publications (St. John Fisher College) (2015)
- Method
- Grounded Theory
- Sample
- 9 participants
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Understanding the foundational elements that enable disruptive innovation is crucial for non-profit organizations seeking to adapt and thrive in evolving environments. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Fisher Digital Publications (St. John Fisher College). Using Grounded theory with 9 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Focus on cultivating the identified 'building blocks' of innovation to foster a more adaptive and transformative organizational culture within non-profits.
Disruptive Innovation in Non-Profits: Identifying Key Building Blocks
Understanding the foundational elements that enable disruptive innovation is crucial for non-profit organizations seeking to adapt and thrive in evolving environments.
Fisher Digital Publications (St. John Fisher College) · 2015
Key Findings
- 01A preliminary theory, 'The Ecology of Innovation in CCE,' emerged from the data.
- 02Common building blocks supporting and sustaining innovation were identified across different programmatic focuses and community settings.
Application
Design takeaway
Focus on cultivating the identified 'building blocks' of innovation to foster a more adaptive and transformative organizational culture within non-profits.
How to apply
When designing interventions or new programs for non-profits, consider how to actively build and support the identified 'ecology of innovation' elements.
Project actions
- 01When researching an organization, look for evidence of these 'building blocks' of innovation.
- 02Consider how your design project can help an organization develop or strengthen these elements.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Utilizes a robust qualitative methodology (grounded theory) to uncover emergent themes.
- +Focuses on a relevant and under-researched area (disruptive innovation in the social sector).
Limitations
The study focused on a specific type of organization, so the findings might not apply to businesses or other sectors.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliance on qualitative interviews and grounded theory means that reliability and validity are primarily established through rigorous data analysis techniques, such as constant comparison and member checking (though not explicitly stated, these are typical in grounded theory). The findings' transferability to other contexts would require further research.
Think critically
To what extent can the 'Ecology of Innovation' framework be applied to for-profit businesses, and what adaptations might be necessary?
Design Principles
"Innovation is an ecosystem; nurture its constituent elements to ensure sustained growth and impact."
This research provides a framework for identifying and fostering the core components that drive significant, transformative change within organizations, particularly those in the social sector. By recognizing these 'building blocks,' design practitioners can better support the development of innovative programs and strategies that address complex societal challenges.
What This Means for Your Design
This study found that non-profit organizations can be more innovative if they focus on specific key elements, like a supportive environment and clear goals, which together create an 'ecology of innovation'.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the need for innovation within your chosen design context.
- 2.Refer to the 'ecology of innovation' concept when discussing how your design will foster change.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the importance of an 'ecology of innovation' within organizations, suggesting that disruptive change is facilitated by a combination of key supporting elements. Understanding these foundational components is crucial for designing interventions that foster sustained innovation, particularly within the non-profit sector, as demonstrated by the findings from Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Source
Fisher Digital Publications (St. John Fisher College)
Identifying the Building Blocks of Disruptive Innovation in Cornell Cooperative Extension: A Grounded Theory
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about disruptive innovation in non-profits: identifying key building blocks?
- Focus on cultivating the identified 'building blocks' of innovation to foster a more adaptive and transformative organizational culture within non-profits. Evidence: Fisher Digital Publications (St. John Fisher College) (2015).
- Why does "Disruptive Innovation in Non-Profits: Identifying Key Building Blocks" matter for design?
- This research provides a framework for identifying and fostering the core components that drive significant, transformative change within organizations, particularly those in the social sector. By recognizing these 'building blocks,' design practitioners can better support the development of innovative programs and strategies that address complex societal challenges.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Focus on cultivating the identified 'building blocks' of innovation to foster a more adaptive and transformative organizational culture within non-profits.
- What were the main findings?
- A preliminary theory, 'The Ecology of Innovation in CCE,' emerged from the data.. Common building blocks supporting and sustaining innovation were identified across different programmatic focuses and community settings.
- What research method was used?
- Grounded Theory with 9 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from Fisher Digital Publications (St. John Fisher College).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing interventions or new programs for non-profits, consider how to actively build and support the identified 'ecology of innovation' elements.
- What are the limitations?
- The findings are specific to the context of Cornell Cooperative Extension and may not be directly generalizable to all non-profit organizations without further research.