Nurturing the new: patterns for innovation

Abstract

Purpose

To blend the wide business experience of Bolko von Oetinger with the interdisciplinary expertise in the articles and interviews in A Passion for Ideas, a book coedited by Dr von Oetinger. Oetinger developed five guidelines for behavior that have been discussed serially through three journal articles. The goal is to increase creativity and innovation among businesspeople and beyond.

Findings

The five guidelines are: finding something new is not the problem; getting rid of the old presents the real challenge; since innovation creates anxiety, you have to open up your organization; since our rules limit our actions, we have to break our own rules; the new needs the right context in order to blossom; and never stop asking “why?” and “for what?”

Research limitation/implications

We intentionally limited the scope of the research to Oetinger's experience and the selections in the book. The interdisciplinary nature of the research recognizes that important processes can be found outside one's sphere of familiarity.

Practical implications

Readers who conscientiously consider our ideas should influenced by processes for creating the new that that they have not previously encountered.

Originality/value

Oetinger is a highly respected international consultant who has not previously organized his thoughts about creativity and innovation for the public.

Citation

von Oetinger, B. (2005), "Nurturing the new: patterns for innovation", Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/02756660510586319