ABSTRACT
Researchers and prac ti tion ers realise the import ance of study ing innov a tion. Thousands of academic articles have dealt with this central topic in an organ isational context (for an over view see Crossan and Apaydin, 2010). Scholars have pointed out that innov a tion is a source of compet it ive advant age, in the public, private and non-profit sectors, through improved effect ive ness and effi ciency (Damanpour and Aravind, 2012; Dess and Picken, 2000; Han et al., 1998; Lee et al., 2009; McDonald and Srinivasan, 2004; Tushman and O’Reilly, 1996). Indeed, organ isa tions have to adapt to the compet it ive envir on ment they face. They need to change in order to meet the expect a tions of their consumers or to create added value for users through innov a tion. The for-profit sector is often seen as the most dynamic sector of the sport market as compet i tion leads to innov a tion (e.g., Gratton and Taylor, 2000; Robinson, Hewitt and Harris, 2000; Vos and Scheerder, 2014). However, little is known about innov a tion outside the for-profit sector, and the focus on patents and R&D depart ments. As Crossan and Apaydin (2010, p. 21) stated, “innov a tion research is frag men ted, poorly groun ded theor et ic ally, and not fully tested in all areas”.
