The measurement and evaluation of individual innovativeness and innovative work behavior: A proposal of decision support system

In this study, it is accepted that innovativeness in business environment manifests itself as innovative work behavior. The aim of this study is to evaluate the individual innovativeness and innovative work behavior by measuring the factors that affect the innovative work behavior. Two separate surveys were conducted: One is for finding out the weights of 16 innovative work behavior determinants derived from literature review; and the other one is for calculating the level of innovative work behavior. 52 participants with innovation experience responded to the first survey study. As a result of the research, weights were determined according to the importance levels of the determinants and a model was created for calculating innovative work behavior. The second survey was conducted in three enterprises and responses were received from 59 participants in total. With this questionnaire, the data required to calculate individual innovativeness and innovative work behavior were obtained. The elements that make a difference in innovative work behavior are tried to be revealed through hypothesis testing. As a result of the research, it was seen that innovative work behavior differs from individual innovativeness. In addition, the decision support system (DSS), which demonstrates individual innovativeness and innovative work behavior levels, was developed and the data collected were analyzed in this system. This DSS ensures evaluating and reporting of the level of innovativeness and innovative work behavior of the employees and the innovativeness of the candidates applying for jobs to the organization. In this way, it assists managers in choosing innovative employees for hiring and assigning projects.