Innovation as Mindset: Management’s Moderating Role in the Relationship Between Organizational Culture and Human Resources

Innovation has been traditionally studied through two main lenses: innovation as product and innovation as process. Recently, a third perspective - innovation as a mindset - has emerged, focusing on the relationship between innovation, organizational culture and individual involvement. A review of the literature of innovation as mindset reveals fragmented field, lacking of a comprehensive definition and showing inconsistencies with established innovation management studies. This study investigates these inconsistencies, assesses the relevance of the mindset perspective to innovation studies, and examines the effects on innovation of three key actors: organizations, individuals, and management. Based on an analysis of three Italian SMEs, the research highlights the joint influence of organization and individuals on the innovation capability of the organization itself. In addition, it has emerged the moderating role of management in the relationship between organization and individuals. Management fosters a climate for innovation by enabling open communication, supporting individual expression, and translating organizational values into actionable practices. The study proposes a framework where the organization and the individuals have a direct impact on innovation, while management acts as a facilitator and moderator.