Companies that have adopted ISO Innovation have 271% more understanding about the importance of innovating

We are one of the largest economies in the world.But there are few companies in the country that enjoy robust innovation mechanisms in favor of their competitive growth.In a study conducted by Alexandre Pierro, one of the only Brazilians who participated in the formatting of ISO 56001, innovation management, and e founding partner of PALAS, a pioneer consultancy in this methodology in Brazil, it was found that companies using this international management methodology increase in 271% their understanding of the subject, acquiring greater preparation and ability to generate innovation, collecting positive results in the short term. The study is the result of a master's thesis carried out by the professional at the Federal University of ABC.

For almost two decades, we have occupied intermediate places in the world innovation ranking, even though it is such a thriving economy and has such a large consumer market. According to the latest Global Innovation Index (IGI), conducted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), we are in 50th position among 133 countries. “There is a great inconsistency between our economic and innovation positioning. ISO 56001 is an excellent opportunity to reduce this gap”, Pierro points out.

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of organizations before and after the use of the ISO innovation methodology. Within this, five specific objectives were considered: to compare the processes and the innovation structure with the application or not of the standard; to analyze the innovation culture of the company and compare it with the application or not of the standard; to analyze the launch of new products, services or processes created with the application or not of the standard; to compare annual financial revenue generated with products linked to innovation with the application or not of the standard; and to compare the capillarity of the innovation strategy in the organization with the application or not of the standard.

The research methodology considered an online questionnaire on the principles of innovation; online questionnaire on the culture of innovation; and live interviews with innovation professionals of companies at the tactical, strategic and operational levels. Of the response options of the online forms were: totally agree, agree, disagree, totally disagree and do not know how to opine.

The first stage of the study heard 60 medium and large companies from various segments in order to identify which are the most used innovation methodologies. The result pointed out three: Design Thinking, Brainstorm and Agile. In possession of this information, the professional applied the research methodology in 17 Brazilian companies that have already adopted the ISO of innovation. Among them, are Boticario Group, Atento, CPFL Energia, Eneva, Copel and many others with varying sizes and segments.

The responses of each company, according to Pierro, were grouped and classified according to the pillars and concepts of the ISO 56000 family of standards, which makes up a complete governance model of innovation management, with ISO 56001 as the certifiable standard.

According to the researcher, the level of understanding about general innovation strategy is almost three times higher in companies that have adopted ISO. Analyzing topics such as innovation definition; innovation goal; focus and type of innovation; innovation process; innovation objectives and indicators; innovation tools; and ideas program, the maturity level of strategic innovation leaders jumped from 35,71% to 87,50%; among the tactical team was 29,58% to 90,27%; and among the operational team was 32,703T.1018T.

The look at the ecosystem registered a growth of 58% to 67.1%. Communication improved from 55% to 69.5%. The resources needed to innovate & such as time, people, knowledge, infrastructure and budget 62% to 72%. “All these aspects are key to ensuring a continuous innovation strategy and high impact”.

Regarding culture, the fear of making mistakes fell from 43.3% to 37.9%; which demonstrates the creation of a safer environment and favorable to the presentation of new ideas. “This fear creates a defense system in corporations, preventing professionals from sharing their ideas for fear of being reprimanded. ISO can make the corporate environment safer, with less resistance to innovation”, celebrates Pierro.

All these highlighted improvements contribute to a greater balance between efforts and investments in innovations, which was also identified in the study. With this methodology, organizational ambidexterity what is the ability to think the future while meeting the needs of the present IMPROVED about 10% in the companies interviewed, reinforcing the greater ability to explore innovation.

The results achieved so far show that ISO 56001 can be an important methodology to boost innovation in our country. “This governance model is proving to be the most effective way to leverage innovation, creating numerous gains in the aspects of strategy, understanding the ecosystem, culture of innovation, leadership, uncertainty management, communication, support and process.It is our chance to improve our positioning in the global innovation ranking and become more competitive before the world”, concludes Pierro.