Innovation Systems in Home Mart: A Comprehensive Analysis

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Assessment3:
Q1. Explain the concept of innovation. Discuss a great innovator and write the type of
innovation (product, process marketing or organizational) in your example. Explain how
their innovation-led to benefits for the chosen examples.
Innovation refers to the process of idea translation or invention into the products or services by
which the value is created or for which the payment is made by customers. Information’s
deliberate actions are involved in the innovation along with the initiative and imagination so that
the different or greater values can be derived from the resources and all the processes are
included in this by which the generations of new ideas are made and is converted into the
products that are useful (Fichman, et. al., 2014).
Alexander Graham Bell was Scottish born inventor, engineer, and scientist of America who is
credited with patenting and inventing the first practical telephone. The American Telegraph and
telephone company was also co-founded by him. He kept on researching for the speech and
hearing which further led him for experimenting with the devices of hearing and eventually Bell
was awarded for the telephone for first United States patent in the year 1876. He is popularly
known for the invention of the telephone which is considered as the revolutionary innovation in
the whole world.
The incredible impact was made by telephone on the whole society as it makes it easy to
communicate. The telephone also played a vital role at that time in case of having
communication in wars and business process also becomes easy through this as the clients could
have been easily been contacted through the telephone. It became that popular that after some
time it became the necessity of daily life. It is a less expensive communication source. With the
passage of time, the more revolutionary changes have come in telephone and 4G and 3G is the
technology which is more advanced of mobile telephone now and various facilities are included
by them to the mobile phones (Borkovskaya, 2014).
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Q2. Research and identify innovative system features for the dimensions of the
management innovation process, core technologies, and competencies and strategic
alignment.
There are mainly three main components of the innovative system which includes the strategy
that comprises of the choices on how and where to create value and growth through the
innovation. It is the supporting process’ set for the product and research development along with
enabling system's set, capabilities, and tools. The four main features of the innovative system
include learning, speed, IP Savy and big ideas.
There are four dimensions of the core competencies such as technical system, norms, and values,
technical systems, knowledge base and skills. The innovation learning is very significant as it is
not essential that every time the innovation will result in success it can also fail by this the
organization can make the effective use of resources that are scarce in nature. For rejuvenating
the innovation the organization can engage in speed that may be the highest impact step.
Different core technologies dimension will help in making the effective implementation of the
innovation in the organization (Sun, 2012).
The core technological innovation proves to be very useful for the organization as they serve in
explaining the technological change's rate and nature. The management of the organization after
carrying the research in the market about the new products and services make the effective use of
the technologies and gain a competitive advantage through them.
Q6. Research at least two processes for idea generation and evaluation.
Idea generation and idea evaluation refer to the transformation of the creative idea into the useful
applications by the combination of resources in usual or new ways for providing value to the
society through the products, services or technology that are improved.
There are various processes which can be implemented for the generation of idea and its
evaluation. Among them brainstorming and mind mapping are most popular and effectively used
by the organization (Schumann, et. al., 2012).
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Brainstorming is the process which involves engendering solutions in the huge number for the
particular idea with the emphasis being on the ideas' number. In this process, there is no idea
assessment so the ideas can be spoken by the persons freely without any criticism fear. Even the
strange ideas are accepted in the brainstorming process with the open hand. Usually, a group of
people is involved in this working under one facilitator. The potential participants are the
strengths in brainstorming who have drawn associations between the ideas in a free-thinking
environment, and thereby broadening the space solutions. With this technique, the problems of
the innovation can be solved as it also helps in the evaluation of the ideas and getting the
knowledge of the areas which needs improvement.
Mind mapping refers to the graphical technique which is used for connections imagination
between different pieces of ideas and information. Each idea or fact is written down and is
connected by the lines or curves to its major or minor ideas ore facts. Thus it helps in building
the relationship of the web. The use of this technique is made even in project planning,
brainstorming, note-taking, and problems solving. The purpose of this method is to capture the
attention and frame and gain information for enabling the sharing of ideas and concepts. In mind
mapping, the participant has to write the keyword or phrases in the middle of the page and has to
write anything which comes in the mind of the participant on the same page. After that
connections can be made as is mentioned in the earlier paragraphs (Verhaegen, et.al., 2013).
Idea evaluation can be done by taking feedback from the stakeholders of the organization
including employees, shareholders, customers, and community. The senior management should
ensure that the ideas are reviewed by them with expertise and should have proper
implementation process and plan for the idea.
Q7. Respect built on authenticity is pre-requisite for leadership. If people are going to take
a risk at work, they need to know, trust and respect you. In fact, establishing and
maintaining a relationship based on mutual respect and trusts are essential. Explain the
qualities or behaviors you need to have to as a first-line manager in this scenario.
Authenticity and integrity are the two most significant qualities that an effective leader should
possess. An authentic leader with this attribute can build a respectful position in the organization
and in the minds of the employees and his teammates. The strategic decisions can be taken by
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them and if any risky decision or step is taken by the authentic leader then his teammates support
him and respect his decisions as they trust on their leader. For getting respect from his followers
it is essential that leader also gives respect to his colleagues and followers or team members.
First-line managers are the operate in their departments and they do the assigning of tasks,
managing the workflow, dealing with the problems of the employees, monitoring the work
quality, and keeping the executive managers and middle managers informed of the success and
problems at the company’s ground level.
The first line managers should have the following qualities –
 The first line manager should have authority for making the decisions that affect directly
to the organization's first line activity such as sales marketing, production, operational
processes, and customer service.
 Possessing the growth mindset ability
 Effective and open relationship of working with the organization members
 Developing a strong relationship works as the best investment time for the first line
manager (Veselovsky, et. al., 2014).
 Protecting work group employees from unreasonable corporate initiatives and corporate.
 He should be patient enough and should listen to each employee carefully and should
take respective decisions for solving their problems and resolving the issues.
 He should have strong self-identity which encourage him to show the inconsistent values
and behaviors at the time when things go wrong.
 He can provide workable solutions and can be considered as the information's best source
on true processes problems.
Q8. Innovation is a risky business. If innovation is to flourish, leaders need to encourage or
consider the risk-taking and provide employees with the freedom to fail. Research the risk
management methodologies.
Innovation is very significant for every organization as with being innovative only the company
can gain a competitive advantage and can get a better competitive position in the global world.
But it is not always necessary that the innovation will always prove successful to the
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organization. It is very risky for the organization and its management to make the decision
regarding the innovation implementation as there are two sides of the same coin it can bring
success along with it there are also the chances of getting failure. Therefore, it is said that
innovation is a risky business but it cannot be ignored also. In order to flourish the innovation,
the leaders are required to encourage their team to consider the risks and provide them with the
freedom to fail (Flemig, et. al., 2016)
Risk management refers to the issue that is being faced by the procurement professional. It is the
process that helps in identifying the risk areas that can impact negatively on the projects’ success
and proactively managing the areas. Following are the risk management methodology –
 Delphi Technique- It is the experts' team that is consulted anonymously. Required
information list is sent to the experts and is complied with the responses. The results are
sent back to the experts for further review.
 Brainstorming- it is done with the group of people whose main purpose is to focus on
risk identification for the project.
 Root cause analysis- causes of the root are determined for the identification of risk.
Further use is made of root causes for identifying the additional risks.
 SWOT Analysis- it includes strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats that are
identified in the project and on that basis risks are determined (Marcelino, et, al., 2014).
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Part B
Q1. Develop an implementation plan for the innovation system pilot. You are required to
include sequenced of activities for implementation and timelines for implementation.
Activities Duration (days)
Top rank support 5
Set strategic objectives 4
Select leadership 2
Design program 6
Gain internal support 5
Benchmark current level of
outside innovation
6
Conduct value analysis 4
Assess legal and
organizational issues
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Establish success 6
Realign rewards 3
Establish an innovation center 8
Capability building 9
Identify targets 8
Pilot projects launched 10
Install best practices 8
Coach and catalyze 10
Evaluate pilots 12
Revise the program as
appropriate
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Proliferation into new targets 9
Diagnose and regenerate 10
For the innovation plan of Home Mart above-mentioned activities will be performed
sequentially. This particular cycle will be implemented through effective strategic planning by
the management of Home Mart.
Q2. Develop a communication plan that covers both participants and key stakeholders.
You are required to include details of planned communication with the specific
stakeholders.
Communication plan refers to the plan which is an approach driven by the policy for providing
the stakeholders with the information. This plan includes the persons who will be given
information, the time when that information will be delivered, and the channel that will be
adopted for communication. The plan also includes the people who will be provided with
information. Home Mart will provide information to both internal and external partners. Internal
partners include employees and managers, while external partners include suppliers, government
and customers. The stakeholders of a company are required to get the knowledge about the status
of the company and they should be aware of the decisions that the company is going to take as
all these decisions have a great impact on them (Lando, 2015). The investors also make a
decision only after having knowledge about the position of the organization.
Internal stakeholders External Stakeholders
Employees
Managers
Directors
Customers
Government
Investors
Suppliers
Communication Plan
Stakeholders Method of communication
Internal stakeholders:
Management
Employees
Inflate
Intranet
Notice board
Meetings
External Stakeholders:
Suppliers
E-mail
Website
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Customers Electronic messaging
Q4. Write how your physical resources and equipment support innovation of the given
simulated workplace.
The physical resources of Home Mart include designed working environment, probable room,
and outfitted refreshment bistro, gathering rooms which will make the organizational culture for
advance development. These physical resources will help the Home Mart in the successful
implementation of innovation and different strategies. With the help of the innovative equipment,
the company will provide the best and suitable services to its customers which will help the
company in enhancing the level of customer satisfaction. The employees will be motivated to
make a contribution to imaginative thoughts. The clients of the company will be provided with
better administrative and better quality items by the acceleration of the work procedure by the
new innovation (McGeorge, et, al., 2015).
Q5. Now you are ready to design and decorate the given simulated workplace. Write how
you like to design, fit and decorate the given workplace to encourage creative mindset,
collaboratively working and the development of the positive workplace relationship.
Creative culture will be created in Home Mart by collaborating with the specialist and the
employees’ idea. All the employees will be given the opportunity to express their ideas,
thoughts, and suggestions and while making the strategic and final decisions their ideas and
suggestions will be considered. Employees will be motivated to work in collaboration and in a
coordinated manner. The positive working environment will be created so that the employees get
satisfaction and work with full productivity so that they can also give best services to their clients
by which the customer base of the company will enhance. New advancements and innovative
technologies will make the Home Mart Company give quality services to its clients (Bajnok, et.
al., 2012).
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3. Research the appropriate ways of promoting and celebrating innovation. Write the
different approaches to management and leadership that can support or hinder innovation.
Write the possible barriers or challenges to innovation and the ways to overcome those
barriers.
Innovation is of much importance in any organization and every organization is required to adopt
the innovative technologies and trends so that it does not lack the other competitive companies. It
is essential that innovation should be promoted and celebrated in the workplace of Home mart.
There are different ways by which the innovation can be celebrated or promoted in Home Mart
as provided below-
 Encourage diversity- the team should be put together having different passions,
capabilities, and background. The group with the different set of ideas and approaches of
problem-solving helps in pushing the product forward. The individuality of the team
members will be celebrated and embraced (Crumpton, 2012).
 Involvement of employees- Encourage the employee's involvement in the innovation
policies and plans. The input should be invited from the employees regarding the
challenges and strategies of the firm. More ideas will be fueled by their active
participation.
 Innovations should be made significant- It should be ensured by the Home Mart
management that their employees are aware of the fact that they are free to share their
ideas. They should be made aware that their innovation can contribute a lot in the
business process and can keep the competitiveness of the firm.
 Brainstorming should be encouraged- time should be allocated to the employees for the
emergence of an idea. The regular workshop should be held and day outs with the team
should be made. There will be an increment in the team effectiveness by the session of
the brainstorming. The suggestion boxes can also be placed at the workplace.
Challenges and barriers for the innovation at the workplace and ways for overcoming
them-
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 Leadership lacking- from the top only, the innovation must be led. Directors, chief
executive, and trustees are not supported or are not in agreement with the strategic
importance of innovation as a driver of business then it will lack the organization in
innovation implementation. The training should be provided to the leaders and the feeling
should be developed among them that they are the responsible employee of the company
and should work effectively so that the company can get success (Torugsa & Arundel,
2016).
 Lack of capacity or resources- if the organization has a lack of resources and capacities
for implementing or adopting the innovation then it can result in creating a barrier for the
innovation in the workplace. The resources should be utilized in the best manner and the
planning should be made by making the budgetary plan by the management of Home
Mark.
 Jealousy – if the employees are jealous of each other they do not support and create
conflicts in the working place. Business is considered as a place where there is a lot of
jealousy and politics. For overcoming this barrier an effective leader should bring
innovation and should develop a strong relationship with its employees so that complete
support is provided to them (Blando, et. al, 2015).
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3. Roleplay scenario
I played the role of the finance manager and conducted the meeting with the store manager and
the suppliers regarding innovative ideas. I made some of the questions lists and ask the
employees and suppliers of Home Mark about them-
Q. What are the best practices that can be used by the Home Mark for the innovation
implementation?
A. There is a dynamic and strong team in the Home Mark which has effective policies and
rules that will help in an effective manner for the innovative ideas.
Q. Areas where you need that Home Mark need to focus and to improve?
A. external trends should be studied and proper evaluation and analysis should be conducted by
them so that the appropriate innovation policy can be adopted by them.
Q. Deficient dimension?
A. lack of appropriate culture is there in Home Mark which can prove beneficial for the
organization. Staff should be given effective training and it should be regular so that the
innovation can be implemented successfully.
Q. Skills required by the employees to be learned?
A. Staff members are required to learn about innovative skills, learn about the current
technology.
Q4. Discuss the factors and tools that can be used to motivate individuals to use creative
thinking and apply innovative work practices. Provide at least three examples.
For motivating the individuals to apply innovative practices of work and using the creating
thinking following factors can be used-
Make the time for new ideas- time should be given for different approaches. Example-
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 Team days out should be arranged (Lee, et. al., 2012)
 Regular group workshops should behold
 Time should be set aside for the brainstorming
 Space should be given to individuals for reflecting the private on their work
Creative importance should be stress- All the staff members should be ensured regarding the
hearing of innovative ideas from them.
Training to staff for the innovative technique- training sessions should be provided to staff
about the creative problems solving with which the staff may be unfamiliar with.
Creative suggestions should be actively solicited- suggestion boxes should be placed at the
workplace and particular problems should be solved through appealing (Mittal & Dhar, 2015).
Be supportive and tolerate the risk- employees should be supportive enough and management
should also provide support to their staff members. The risk should be tolerated effectively.
Q5. Why our own approaches regularly need to be evaluated to align with wider
organizational or project context. Explain the legislative framework that needs to come
under consideration when deciding whether or not to go ahead with an innovation idea or
proposal.
It is very significant for the organization to have strategic alignment with the organization’s
goals and objectives. The individuals should be aware of their roles and responsibilities and
should know how their efforts contribute towards the organization’ success. Every innovative
idea has some of the negative and positive aspects. If the innovation should be continued or not
by the organization, depends on some of the factors such as the feasibility of the innovative idea;
if it is feasible legally, socially, economically and will get completed within the particular
timeframe (Schläfke, et. al., 2013).
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