Innovative organizations: is a specific culture found in such an environment?

Abstract

Innovation has become strategic in business administration, however in Brazil it is still viewed as a competitive advantage, an organizational secret. Therefore study verified how an innovative atmosphere is formed within a business as well as how the elements of culture are related. Based upon the methodology used, an innovative ambient was found in the 7 organizations by means of an analysis of aspects of the environment. Elements that form the company culture and that were found related to innovation were: values, faiths and presuppositions, rites, rituals, ceremonies, histories, myths, taboos, heroes, communications, artifacts and symbols. During validation these same elements were found, although with a smaller incidence of artifacts and symbols. Results confirm the research hypothesis that innovative organizations also possess cultural elements that may be propitiating and motivating development of innovations.