Innovation drivers and innovation adoption of service organisations

This study aimed to explore the effect of innovation drivers on innovation adoption as a single construct. Four innovation drivers were used (organisational goals, competitors, customers, and external knowledge). Innovation was measured based on its four types (Innovation 1.0, Innovation 2.0, Innovation 3.0 and Innovation 4.0). Data were collected by a questionnaire distributed to a convenience sample of 315 managers from different organisational levels selected from 15 service companies. A total of 315 questionnaires were distributed to the sample members, 277 questionnaires were returned complete, with a coverage rate of 88%. The results showed that organisational goals as well as competitors are the most common drivers of innovation for service organisations. Other drivers such as customers and external knowledge sources had no significant effect on innovation adoption. This study contributes by encouraging organisations to organise their priorities and collaborate with external sources of knowledge, such as universities and research centres.