Resolving Some Paradoxes of Innovation: A Cross-Level Interpretation

Abstract

This chapter on Mumford and Hunter's chapter “Innovation in Organizations: A Multi-Level Perspective on Creativity” (this volume) describes both its contributions and limitations to the development of a cross-level theory of innovation. To resolve some of the cross-level paradoxes highlighted by Mumford and Hunter, we propose five variables that operate at multiple levels including trust, social identity, mental models, networks, and time, and formulate some new multi-level propositions. Future directions for innovation theory development and research are also discussed.

Citation

Howell, J.M. and Boies, K. (2005), "Resolving Some Paradoxes of Innovation: A Cross-Level Interpretation", Dansereau, F. and Yammarino, F.J. (Ed.) Multi-Level Issues in Strategy and Methods (Research in Multi-Level Issues, Vol. 4), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 75-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1475-9144(05)04002-6