What role is attributed to HRM within practices intended to encourage creativity in innovation processes?.
How can HRM nurture and constrain creativity within innovation processes?.
Two cases from two different companies will be in focus in this study. Both of them operate in the high-technology production industry and are therefore excellent examples of companies who are facing a highly competitive environment which forces them to constantly change and to develop innovations in order to survive and to achieve competitive advantage. Both companies also have a clear innovation strategy and are operating globally. There are some differences between the cases, which makes a comparison between them interesting. A major difference is the strategy for HRM in innovation processes in the different organisations. In Company A, HRM has a mission from management to change the culture to be more innovative and has both a direct and indirect role in innovation processes. HRM in Company B does not have an explicit goal to improve innovations and have a more indirect role in innovation processes.
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In order to answer the research question, this thesis is disposed as follow: After this introduction, previous research related to the topic of the study will be presented. This is followed by a section which presents the theoretical concepts. The methods that were used will thereafter be described to give an illustration about how this case study was conducted. The validity and reliability as well as limitations and ethical considerations of the study will also be discussed. After that, the results of this case study will be presented which are subsequently analysed by using theories and previous research in the discussion. Finally, conclusions will be drawn in order to answer the research questions and the purpose of the study, and suggestions for future research will be described.
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2. Previous research.