Creativity and Innovation Management at Ministry of Public Works and Transports

Abstract

Ministry of Public Works and Transports is the public organization with the mission to implement new process, products, services and methods of delivery resulting in significant improvements in the efficiency, effectiveness or quality of outcomes. This research paper aimed at firstly investigating how Ministry of Public Works and Transports harness individual creativity and innovation to implement their new process, products, services and methods; and secondly examining how organizational culture promote creativity and innovation. The qualitative research methods was employed by conducting group discussion and in-depth interview among the middle management personnel on how individual creativity contributing to organizational implementation in applying new ideas to better produce outcomes. In terms of culture promoting creativity and innovation, it was firstly found that the MPWT has strong executive leadership and support, a recognized innovation expert and a number of bottom-up processes. Secondly, philosophy and implementable culture in organizing and putting in place the policies and procedures to facilitate innovation were developed. Thirdly, innovation strategy of MPWT is widely articulated across the ministry. Fourthly, there is creativity and innovation strategies enabling opportunities to enhance innovation capacity within the MPWT. Finally, the intra- and extra-organisational learning at levels within the MPWT to harness creativity and innovation in achieving strategic alignment across the MPWT, clarity around role boundaries, empowerment of staff to take initiatives, collaboration across work units and dissemination of corporate knowledge to be enhanced the innovation dynamics. This includes having good technological infrastructure as a powerful means to generate and spread knowledge. In managing creativity and innovation, the MPWT has the process described as a ‘develop, implement, check and adjust model’.