Innovation adoption of employees in logistics: individual and organisational factors related to the actual use of innovation

Introduction: Due to fast technological changes organisations need to adjust by innovations to remain economically viable. However, as innovations do not always pass the implementation phase, this study examines innovation adoption of employees. The assumption is that workplace innovation positively associates with innovation adoption. The study looked into the role of employee perception of innovation, as well as organisational and individual characteristics in relation to actual use of innovation by employees. Methods: Managers of 110 Dutch organisations from transport and logistics sector took part in the survey in May 2017. They were asked to evaluate the behaviour of the employees they are supervising. Dependent variable was the actual use of innovation as indicator of innovation adoption. Independent variables were organisational factors (workplace innovation), individual factors (innovative behaviour, risk taking behaviour) and perception of innovation (visibility of results, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and subjective norm). Data was analysed using multiple regression (path analysis). Results: Workplace innovation, ease of use of innovation and perceived usefulness of innovation have a direct relation with actual use of innovation by employees, according to the answers provided by their managers. Innovative behaviour has an indirect relation with actual use of innovation, as the relation is via perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of innovation. Conclusion: Workplace innovation and innovation related behaviours associate with innovation adoption. The practical implication is that, besides making sure that innovation is easy to use and is perceived as useful, management needs to ensure there is employee engagement in the process of renewal, if innovation is actually to be adopted by employees, thus implemented effectively in organisations.