Antecedents and effects of innovative activities on innovative behaviours of individuals: A case of a South African company

This case study focuses on the antecedents that are linked to individual innovative behaviour as well as the innovative activities mentioned in the innovation surveys that lead to innovation. A literature review was performed in order to determine the most recognised antecedents to innovative behaviour as well as to understand innovative activities of companies, based on innovation surveys, performed by individuals within the company. A survey was developed to collect data from a population of 263 employees, from which hierarchical multiple regression was used to analyse the relationships between the variables. It was determined that the significant antecedents to innovative behaviour of individuals' were: self-efficacy; challenging the status quo and having external work contacts. Similarly, the activities that were determined to lead to innovative behaviour of individuals were: intramural (in-house) RD acquisition of external knowledge and other preparations for product and process innovations. Although the results of this study are only representative of the company that was studied, and hence not generalizable, the results put forward in this case study provide a framework that is useful to other companies that are interested in nurturing innovation.