Innovation in elderly care organizations : process and attitudes.

The importance of innovation as an academic research field and for
society in general is stated, and existing definitions of the concept
discussed. A new definition is proposed emphasizing the social nature
of innovation and distinguishing it from creativity and non-innovative
change. The innovation research literature is reviewed in relation to
the two main approaches: 'antecedent factors' and 'process'.
Conclusions from these reviews, and from a preliminary study of
experiences of innovation, guide the design of the main research
program. Three field studies are described. The first, carried out in
two Homes for the Elderly, examines the sequence of the innovation
process, influences on it, and staff attitudes towards it. Data are
collected through semi-structured interviews, incorporating verbally administered questionnaires. Findings regarding the effect of
involvement in the innovation process upon attitudes towards
innovations are followed up in the second study, again in two Homes
for the Elderly. A longitudinal questionnaire design is used. The
third study is in a psycho-geriatric ward, using a participant
observation methodology to follow the development of innovations as
they occur. An overview of all the findings is presented in the final
discussion chapter. Three areas are highlighted. (1) Attitudes to
innovation: the primary importance of involvement in change processes
is emphasized. (2) Influences on the innovation process: differences
in perceptions according to phase of the process, and between staff
groups, are interpreted in terms of individual and group role in the
process. Possibilities of attributional bias are also raised. (3) The
development of the process: the problems in identifying discrete
stages are discussed and variations in the process for different
innovation types are described. Building on these findings, especially
in the third area, a general model of the innovation process is
proposed. Its implications for future research are outlined.