The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Anna Brattström. Photo.

Anna Brattström

Senior lecturer

Anna Brattström. Photo.

Innovation theater in corporate venturing units : Cultural design as a (de)legitimizing mechanism

Author

  • Anna Brattström
  • Dries Faems

Summary, in English

This paper builds theory on theatrical cultural design in corporate venturing units, such as manifested in playful esthetics (foosball tables and beanbags), startup lingo, or youthful behavior (building with Lego bricks and informal dressing). We develop a set of propositions, illuminating how theatrical cultural design can (de)legitimize corporate venturing units, highlighting three different functions: attention-direction function, social categorization function, and escapist function. In addition, we explain how such changes in legitimization can influence the resilience of corporate venturing units. Our framework contributes to an emergent debate on innovation theater by pointing to the possibility of innovation theater as a constructive process in contemporary innovation management practices.

Department/s

  • Department of Management and Administration

Publishing year

2024-04-01

Language

English

Publication/Series

Journal of Product Innovation Management

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Topic

  • Business Administration

Keywords

  • corporate venturing
  • innovation theater
  • legitimacy

Status

Epub

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0737-6782