Competências e inovações gerenciais para uma cultura organizacional inovadora: framework teórico e estudo de caso

Abstract

The construction of an innovative organizational culture has been sought by many companies in the current competitive scenario, primarily due to the productivity and profitability gains resulting from the implemented innovations. In this context, the role of managers becomes increasingly relevant as they play a key role in fostering innovation within their professional teams. This dissertation aims to achieve two objectives through the production of two articles: firstly, to present a theoretical framework in the first article that establishes a connection between managerial competences and managerial innovations of an innovative organizational culture; and secondly, to test the applicability of the theoretical framework in the second article through a qualitative investigation employing a descriptive and exploratory approach. A case study is conducted in a large Brazilian company in the food sector, which has been implementing various improvements in its production lines. The study focuses on professionals directly involved in the implementation of incremental technology-based innovation, which has been encouraged by the industrial manager, who is credited for initiating this initiative. By triangulating data collected through documentary research, semi-structured interviews, and non-participant observation, it is observed that innovation has become a cultural trait influenced by the industrial manager for its feasibility. The identification of managerial skills employed in the implementation of managerial innovations is achieved using the Cognitive-Reflective Approach (ACR) methodology, specifically through the card technique, which encourages interviewees to share their experiences in interacting with the industrial manager throughout the innovative process. Drawing on studies by various authors, the theoretical framework demonstrates the relationship between the constructs addressed, providing a foundational structure for organizations seeking to foster innovation. The framework emphasizes the managerial skills that promote the implementation of managerial innovations and generate competitive advantages for organizations. It is concluded that the proposed framework, when applied in an empirical context, proves to be applicable and serves as a guiding tool for organizations aiming to foster innovation by developing and encouraging skills within their leadership. The framework's applicability can be tested in various situations and organizational contexts.