Organizational Routines and Innovation: Micro and Macro Antecedents

Abstract

This paper explores the ambiguous nature of organizational routines in regard to generating innovation or innovation routine. Considering the dual character of routine, we conceptualize that routines have inherently a potential to drive changes, therefore, organizational routines should be considered as a trigger of innovation. In order to exploit organizational routines as a vehicle for innovation, managers should be aware that micro and macro level factors influence the dynamics ofroutines. Hence, to design proper organizational settings managers should learn about the mechanisms activating learning processes as essential for new knowledge generation as well as for novelty generation through organization built on a routine system.