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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.