The government’s innovation policy is too one-sided and does not focus sufficiently on improving corporate culture, according to the latest Innovation Monitor.

Official policy focuses on developing new technologies but companies also need to invest in improving the way they operate, Nos television quotes the monitor as saying.

The research was led by Henk Volberda, professor of strategic management at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Companies which invest in better structures – or social innovation – are more successful in developing innovative products, he says.

Alliances

This includes bringing in more flexible structures, better alliances with the private sector and other institutes and new forms of management

In particular, the energy and chemistry sectors include lots of companies which score well in terms of social innovation. This is largely because the sectors include many big companies.

By contrast, the creative sector is lagging behind. This is partly due to the fact companies are smaller with many self-employed people. While small firms find it easy to change course it less easy to market new ideas, the research shows.

The government’s innovation policy focuses on nine key areas including water, energy, technology and the creative sector.