Moving beyond initial success: Promoting innovation in small businesses through high-performance work practices
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Abstract
After firms experience initial success, leaders frequently turn their attention toward producing and selling their products or services more efficiently, likely at the expense of ongoing innovation. This seemingly prudent decision may unintentionally lead firms to become one-hit wonders, effectively limiting their potential success over time. To help prevent a firm's early success from being its only success, small business executives should adopt practices that promote innovation yet don't come at substantial cost given limited financial resources. Focusing on the positive influences of ability, commitment, and feedback, we propose a system of high-performance work practices (HPWPs) as an economical means of encouraging innovative behavior that allows for efficiency without losing an emphasis on creativity and entrepreneurial action. This article outlines and discusses nine specific HPWPs targeted for smaller businesses that are expected to promote and fully realize the potential of employees as the driving force for innovation and sustained success.
Publication Title
Business Horizons
Volume
59
Issue
1
First Page
51
Last Page
60
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1016/j.bushor.2015.08.004
ISSN
00076813
Citation Information
Mazzei, Flynn, C. B., & Haynie, J. J. (2016). Moving beyond initial success: Promoting innovation in small businesses through high-performance work practices. Business Horizons, 59(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2015.08.004