2011: Skills for innovative activities

The aim of this particular study was to give a picture of the social structure and certain skills of professionals involved in innovation activities. In contrast to other Russian and foreign studies on the problem, which used psychological testing methods, the survey focused on the facts of using skills required for innovations (information, management, marketing, entrepreneurial, communication skills and technological competences), and personal characteristics (leadership, entrepreneurship, risk propensity, activity and creativity, self-confidence, tolerance) that can help in the initiation and implementation of innovations. In parallel, the participation of the respondents in innovation development was detected.

Analyses of the unique data allowed us to quantify the respondents participating in the process of innovation development as initiators, team members or executives and describe their skills.

Initiators of innovation (employees suggested improvments in certain areas of business activities of the organization) represent over one third of the total sample (36%). Though all of them have experience in innovation projects, only 16% of the initiatives have been successful. Afterwards, this subgroup was named successful initiators. It is characterized by a high degree of involvement in advanced technology development and use, extensive knowledge in ICT, and specific structure of information sources (scientific institutions, exhibitions, conferences and other professional events, equipment suppliers, etc.). In addition to highly developed cognitive skills, successful initiators have a good command of management skills and a strong awareness of key business processes. More than half of them are experienced in managing working groups and research collectives, developing business strategy of their enterprises, marketing activities, interacting with suppliers and customers, and speaking on public. One in five runs their own business. It is important to note that for a third of the initiators who successfully realized their ideas, the preparation of proposals was not part of their professional duties. This observation emphasizes the importance of creating favorable conditions for sharing and implementation of new ideas.

The team members (employees who took part in discussions on innovative development of the organization) also account for over a third of the total sample (35%), while the percentage of successful team members (those whose ideas were brought to the realization) was only 17%. Representatives of this subgroup are comparable in their basic skills with the group of the initiators, but they are older (the average age is 44 years vs. 41 years among the initiators), rarely occupy leading positions or run their own business. Both groups, somehow, possess personal characteristics for the generation and implementation of innovations. The only thing distinguishing team members from initiators is lack of leadership skills and propensity for risk.

Executives who use modern equipment and efficient methods of work are important elements in the realization of innovations. The sample gave only 47% of respondents who had developed new methods of work or equipment less than 5 years ago. The group is represented by younger employees (average age of this group is 36 years old compare to sample average of 47 years) who more often rely on specialized Internet resources in their work, and have better skills in speaking foreign languages. At the same time, in terms of core competencies, they stand far behind the initiators of innovation and team members.

Special attention was paid to the working population with higher and secondary education but not involved in innovation process (11%). This group has a lower level of authority in the professional structure. Moreover, their job does not require special education. It is noteworthy that more mature workers (the average age is 38 years) are often excluded from innovation processes and for 50% of cases this exclusion is caused by gender factor (the ratio of women engaged in innovation development to men of the same subgroup is 2:1). A core set of skills and competencies of this group demonstrate a very low level of skills and knowledge required for innovation.