Building a Commitment to Workplace Innovation

Strategic Action Area: Building a Commitment to Workplace Innovation

Introduction

The first strategic priority area identified by the National Workplace Strategy is that a greater commitment to workplace innovation is required, both from stakeholders at national level and at the enterprise level.

To make the transitions required in a knowledge-based economy, the National Workplace Strategy proposes that public and private sector organisations prioritise organisational development and the adoption of the particular attributes and practices identified by the Forum. ‘Workplace innovation’ is the umbrella term that describes the process of adopting these practices at the enterprise level. While workplace innovation is required of organisations of all sizes and in all sectors, the National Workplace Strategy highlights particular sets of challenges for SMEs and for the public service.

While research shows that workplace innovation is recognised by public and private sector organisations as important both from the perspective of the business and of the employee, there is clear empirical evidence that workplace innovation practices are not sufficiently widespread across the Irish economy. Examples of good practice undoubtedly exist across the public and private sectors, but they tend to be restricted to organisations where there is a culture of innovation and where resources, both fiscal and human, are invested in the challenges of organisational development.

 

High Level Implementation Group

The High Level Implementation Group has been established to oversee the implementation of the National Workplace Strategy. The Group operates under the auspices of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and is chaired by the Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D. Professional and executive support for the Group is provided by the National Centre for Partnership and Performance.

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Enterprise-Level Projects in the Private Sector

Strand I of the Workplace Innovation Fund (WIF) provides approximately €6 million over this period to support workplace innovation initiatives in private sector SMEs. This fund is administered as a new strand of Enterprise Ireland’s Productivity Improvement Fund (PIF), and is delivered in collaboration with the National Centre for Partnership and Performance.

The emphasis of this new funding stream is on developing the role of participation and partnership-type practices as an enabler of change in SMEs. Funding is targeted at SMEs in a transition state. Application is on a competitive basis, and successful companies will receive support for initiatives such as: developing strategic capacity for change and continuous improvement based on participation and partnership at leadership level; developing greater capacity for change among employees and unions; and developing the skills, knowledge and motivation of employees.

The assessment of applications will consider, among other issues, the expected impact of the proposed workplace innovation project on the company’s competitive position internationally; the expected impact of the proposed project on providing new employment or maintaining existing employment; and evidence of management and employee collaboration in the implementation of the project activities including the development of the project proposal.

The first call for proposals for applications under the Workplace Innovation Fund was made in April 2007.

Points of contact

Social Partner Initiatives

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is working with the Social Partners and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance in establishing priorities under this strand. ICTU, IBEC and CIF have each identified key issues that they will address. Work commenced in 2006 on a number of projects. Issues to be addressed include:

Points of Contact

Public Awareness Campaign

A major public awareness campaign to target Ireland’s 2 million-strong workforce, employers and employees will be launched in June 2007. The campaign is being managed by the National Centre for Partnership and Performance.

Encompassing advertising (television, radio, internet, outdoor and press) and public relations, the campaign represents an unprecedented opportunity to raise public awareness of the National Workplace Strategy. The main objective of the campaign is to encourage employers, managers, employees and their representatives across all sectors to be more open to new and innovative approaches to management, communications, information and consultation, training and upskilling, problem-solving and partnership.

The campaign’s key messages are that partnership is the key to innovation in the workplace, that it’s not about working harder, it’s about working together, and that partnership-based workplace innovation can lead to high-quality, high-performing workplaces where employers, employees and trade unions all have an important role to play.

Point of Contact

Statistics and Benchmarks for Workplace Innovation

Significant progress has been made by key stakeholders in the development of a more cohesive and joined-up data infrastructure. The Central Statistics Office have published a working paper outlining proposals for cyclical data collection programme, based on consultations with stakeholders including Forfás, National Centre for Partnership and Performance, FAS, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. These proposals represent a significant advance in terms of a more collaborative approach to data collection and analysis by Government Departments and agencies. In addition, a number of other important sources have been published over recent months.

Points of Contact


 

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