Innovation during the Covid-19 crisis: an in-depth study of eight companies

Abstract

Over the years, researchers in the field of innovation have debated whether recession and crisis have given organisations opportunities, or limitations for growth. The Covid-19 crisis has now given a unique opportunity to study this in more depth. Using a theoretical framework of transitional technology (Geels 2002), representatives from eight companies were interviewed in depth to examine whether the Covid-19 crisis accelerated innovation of their products, services or work processes. The findings showed that changes in the external sociopolitical landscape induced by the crisis, created windows of opportunity for some of the companies that had products and services that solved issues arising from the secondary effects of the lockdown and enforced lack of contact between individuals. Other companies were forced to adapt to the same situation using new products, and experienced beneficial changes in work processes that represented new value for their organisations. The companies that experienced the least benefit from the crisis had a lack of industry diversity in their product portfolio and were not able to use the opportunities presented in a productive way. The aftermath of the crisis means the secondary effects of the crisis have lasted longer than the health-related effects of the primary crisis, and digitalisation of products and services has been accelerated in many ways. All the interviewees perceived that learning had occurred with regard to new ways of working and the flexibility of hybrid working. The importance of understanding how individuals dealt with the crisis has meant that large changes have occurred in the area of company culture.