How Innovation Varies Across Countries & Cultures
Have you ever wondered how different cultures view innovation? Why are some countries more willing to adopt new advances while others fight to keep old systems in place? In todayโs article, weโll be taking a look at two innovative research studies that reveal the impact of culture on peopleโs ability to innovate. Weโll also show you how to use this information to create a work environment conducive to innovation. To begin, letโs jump right in to discuss how a countryโs culture affects the early stages of innovation.
What Affects the Early Stages of Innovation?
In a study on innovation in European countries, innovation researchers wanted to see if understanding different national cultures could help them predict certain behavioral patterns when it came to initiating innovation. To do this, they categorized cultures using four dimensions โโ power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism-collectivism, and masculinity-femininity โ and then tested the relationship between each dimension and innovation. Today, weโll concentrate on the first two dimensions: power distance and uncertainty avoidance.
Power Distance Measures: Just How Much Power Lies in the Hierarchical Structure
Cultures with large power-distance measures are those with formal rules and a centralized decision-making system. These societies keep information-sharing to a select few โ only those in power, know the master plan and everyone else remains in the dark. On the other hand, small power-distance cultures donโt rely so heavily on a rigid chain of command. Thereโs free-flowing communication between hierarchical levels. Both of these traits help foster an environment where creative thoughts and ideas can flourish, which may ultimately lead to breakthroughs. So, which culture do you think does better in the initiation phase of innovationโฆthe one with small or large power distance? If you guessed small power distance culturesโฆ you are correct! Countries in this category include the UK, USA, Germany, the Netherlands, and Nordic countries.
This innovative research shows that high power distance cultures, such as Belgium, France, Poland, and Portugal, may be unknowingly inhibiting their innovation efforts due to this trait. If people are more likely to feel confined and afraid to come up with new ideas for fear of disapproval, they wonโt even try. This strategy will severely limit innovation initiation, according to the study. The next dimension may also greatly impact the early stages of innovation.
Uncertainty Avoidance: Whether Tense Situations are Avoided or Tolerated
You may not think thereโs a connection between uncertainty avoidance and innovation, but there is according to the research. See, cultures with high uncertainty avoidance adopt an attitude of โWhatโs different is dangerous.โ People are encouraged to follow the rules to a T โ without ever stepping out of line. When this type of environment is created, youโll often see a workforce thatโs unmotivated to think creatively. As a result, they may struggle to come up with new ideas and innovative solutions to existing problems. Not only that, your team may be much more resistant to change. And as you can imagine, this way of thinking can negatively impact your innovation efforts. On the other hand, a low uncertainty avoidance culture constantly revises rules and makes allowances to bend existing ones, given the right circumstances. Cultures that rank low on this dimension also expect conflict and see it as just another part of life. Ambiguous situations are viewed the same way โ since theyโre inevitable, you must always be ready to adjust your plan and adapt accordingly, two things that work well when it comes to innovation. Now before we dive into the specific traits shown by innovative cultures, itโs important to understand a few fundamental findings first:
โExisting cultural conditions determine whether, when, how and in what form new innovation will be adopted,โ as our next study shows.
Cultural Impacts on Innovation
Which characteristics do cultures with high innovation rank well on?
Researchers discovered that thereโs a greater acceptance of innovation when the foundation is already ingrained in the culture. For cultures built on long-standing traditions, innovation may seem as if itโs going against the societal norms that have been passed down for generations. Therefore, it may not be as well-received or encouraged. Yet, researchers discovered, and research revealed, that when societies are willing to take traditions and adjust them to fit modern times, innovation is much more likely to happen. To that end, thereโs one more factor that may contribute to fostering an innovative culture: whether people believe they can make an impact.
Cultural or organizational โclass systemsโ can become like shackles โ with people unable to move and think freely.
When applied to the work environment, itโs virtually impossible to motivate your team or community to work at their potential (or, as often is required to innovate, to exceed their potential) when they donโt see their hard work paying off for them in some regard. โMost people work in the hope of reward,โ and if they donโt see any, theyโll be less inclined to work hard. People need to feel like they can make a difference and that their ideas are not only heard but also used whenever possible. And they need to do this in an environment that fosters community and relationships.
For an innovative culture to flourish and thrive, the scientists learned, this form of social capital is needed.