Organisations supporting innovation

In recent years, there has been significant growth in the number of organisations dedicated to supporting innovation by addressing some of the barriers to it in the public sector. Based on a survey of more than 70 innovation teams across OECD countries, this chapter examines their role in creating a culture of innovation and spreading the use of innovation processes and methods. It categorises them according to their activities, from units supporting and co-ordinating the development of innovative solutions to innovation labs providing space for experimentation, performance teams supporting service delivery, including through innovative methods, innovation funds, and organisations providing capacity building and networking support. The chapter considers the implications of where innovation organisations sit in government, whether centrally or independent from the executive and how that affects their work. It examines when innovation teams were formed and how they are beginning to measure their impact. It discusses the considerations governments might take into account when deciding whether to set up an innovation organisation and what kind to create, and concludes with some questions for further research.