EMCC European Monitoring Centre on Change

Innovation in its various forms is considered an important driver of improved competitiveness and productivity. Companies around the world compete for the next new innovative product, the next service. Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence are increasingly used for developing the next web search engine, targeting customers with specific characteristics and customizing services and products. By innovating in products, processes and workplace practices companies may have a better chance to compete internationally.

Acknowledging the paramount role of innovation in companies and economies, questions emerge on the contribution workplace practices, such as work organisation, human resource management, employee participation, make to innovation. Assisted with evidence from the third European Company Survey (ECS 2013), this Eurofound research examines whether certain combinations of such practices are associated with innovation as well as performance and workplace well-being. Data analysis of more than 24,000 establishments in Europe shows that such practices do matter for innovation, as the blog describes. 

• Blog: The human factor in innovation
• Publication: Innovative changes in European companies