Innovate to Reinvent: Implementing a Culture of Innovation in a Three-century-old Public Company

ABSTRACT Objective: the Three-Century-Old Public Company (EPT) is a federal public organization with over three centuries of history. Its main products, banknotes and coins, are being replaced by technological advancements in payment methods. To maintain its relevance in Brazilian society, the organization needs to develop a focus on innovation. EPT has already undertaken initiatives aimed at fostering innovation, but it is understood that to maintain its excellence, the organization will need to implement and sustain a culture of innovation.The objective of this article is to develop an intervention proposal for implementing a culture of innovation in a public company by identifying the challenges and benefits of change as anticipated by the organization's leaders. Method: an organizational culture diagnosis of EPT was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, including the application of the OCAI Instrument with 71 respondents, complemented by nine in-depth interviews with the company’s leaders. Results: based on the leadership’s interest in transforming the organizational culture, the study proposed the creation of an ‘Innovative Culture’ committee and an action plan consisting of five steps for implementing a new culture of innovation. Conclusion: this article may serve as a reference for future studies in public companies needing to implement cultural changes.