Action Innovation - collaborative knowledge building for strengthening innovation in the public sector

Important results from the project

The project has applied and tested the method Action Innovation through two learning programs. 13 organizations have participated in the project and each organization has produced two reports based on studies of innovation work in another organization. Through these studies, empirical material has been gathered on innovative work in the public sector. The method Action Innovation has been further developed through these two learning programs. Action Innovation has been clarified as a method of inquiry, comparison and learning.

Expected long term effects

Thirteen organizations from the public sector have participated in the project Action Innovation. Through this project, the participants have learned more about the innovation work in the public sector and thereby increased their ability to understand and perform innovation work. The method Action Innovation has been further developed. The method has been improved based on empirical observations and theoretical analysis. Improvements have been made to analysis model, interview guides, inquiry instructions, report templates and presentation templates.

Approach and implementation

The project´s focus is innovation in the public sector; how to conduct innovation and how to learn more about innovation. Linköping University and Governo AB have conducted the project together with 13 organizations from the public sector. These organizations have participated in two co-learning program to increase their knowledge of innovation and at the same time contributing to general knowledge. These co-learning programs have been conducted with support of the method Action Innovation. Each organization has studied innovation work in another organization.