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Description
Evidence has existed for a long time that the so-called “workplace innovation” (WI) yields better business results and more satisfying environment for the employees. Workplace innovation is a new management practice different from the “traditional” ones, which aims at more active involvement of employees in the decision-making process. The latter results in empowerment of employees and capacity building, enhanced motivation, better work environment and new forms of work, which further contributes to the development of corporate culture and untaps the potential for innovation of enterprises. Against the backdrop of a global pandemic and an imminent economic crisis, the innovation potential of enterprises is often life-saving to stay afloat. This makes workplace innovation particularly important for both the individual company and the economy in general. While there are mechanisms to support workplace innovation at European level and in other countries, Bulgaria does not have such mechanisms and lacks awareness of the issues. The project aims at identifying measures to promote workplace innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bulgaria as well as raising public awareness about the benefits of introducing them. The project will include: 1) looking into the factors that encourage/obstruct SMEs from introducing such innovative practices in their work processes; 2) consulting the relevant institutions and business associations to discuss policies to promote workplace innovation among Bulgarian SMEs.
Summary of project results
The main objective of the project was to identify measures to support workplace innovation (WPI) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bulgaria, as well as to increase societal awareness about the benefits of implementing such practices.
Throughout the project various communication channels were used to reach out to the project’s main target group - representatives of SMEs - and raise awareness on the benefits of implementing WPI in enterprises, including: social networks, the Bulgarian National Radio, electronic media, the newsletter of the European Enterprise Network, as well as an event for presenting the results at the end of the project’s implementation. In addition to achieving wider awareness and taking steps towards dissemination of workplace innovation among SMEs in Bulgaria, the project provided the engaged participants with the opportunity to learn about the interests and activities of many other organisations in the field of WPI.