Implementing innovations in organisations.

Initial investigations with six small and medium sized firms were carried out where innovation of products and processes played a major role. On the basis of preliminary analysis one company was chosen for an in-depth investigation and analysis through participant observation. Innovation implementation situations were identified in the manufacturing unit of a small engineering firm and studied through observation of the process and in-depth interviews with participants. The concept of technological innovation was widened to include structural innovation and a theoretical framework was developed to describe and promote the innovation implementation process. This linked a classification of innovation with organisation structure and appropriate decision making process. As a result it was found that the innovation process was only influenced marginally by overall structural characteristics of organisation. It was more influenced by the local structures made up of the individuals actively involved in the process - their decision making and communication patterns with each other and other parts of the organisation.As these local structures were composed of different people for different innovations or changed in composition as the innovation implementation process proceeded, a need for one person to act as overseer --- interpreter and integrator emerged. The researcher found herself fulfilling this role. Further work was carried out in examining this key role through an analysis of the researcher's own contribution and role within the company in innovation situations. This also contributed to the research process in its implications for research methodology, particular the Action Research model where the researcher is actively involved in learning and change.