The Culture of Innovation

Abstract

Each organization seeking to make a unique contribution creates its own society with social pacts and cultures. We live in a time in which these social pacts and cultures are redefined. In this paper, we explore this historic moment of pandemic and rapid technological change, and the innovative context for businesses today. Analysis and conclusions focus on three key areas: 1) the social contracts for innovation, 2) the business organization and its culture, and 3) the culture of innovation. We define the social contract internal and external to the organization, the importance of organizational culture for enabling creativity and innovation, and give examples of the culture of innovation and its value for the adaptation to change. The paper concludes that business organizations are societies with powerful internal cultures that affect their ability to survive, adapt, and impact cultures and people outside the organization. What the company produces and offers reflects its culture of innovation and determines its impact on the wider world in the sweep of history.

Keywords: culture, innovation, social contract, change, history