Idea engine Mid Sweden

Important results from the project

The purpose of an idéa hub is to build an environment and a systematic approach/methodology to encourage an idea- and development driven way to work with problem solving in their own organization. The employees are creative and capable, and with an idea hub the municipality can start a process in which all employees are given the same opportunity in a structured way to try and evaluate new ideas. Participation in development work can create greater commitment of employees and contribute to the benefit of the organization.

Expected long term effects

A result of the feasibility study is to anchor the purpose and goals of a common idea hub among business development networks, departments and management team in the organization. The feasibility study has identified a number of success factors that will form the basis for implementation, taking into account the development work carried out today. Effects are desired activities formulated in an action plan for further work. The action plan is the basis for the application for continued cooperation with VINNOVA to implement the identified activities during an upcoming 3-year period.

Approach and implementation

The feasibility study can be divided into three activities; 1) survey of the current situation a) employee survey with 209 responses, b) in-depth interviews with those responsible for some of the municipality´s existing development processes, 2) 9 workshops with management teams and intersectoral networks and Åkroken, Almi, 3) Collecting information/interviews how the innovation hub Östergötland and municipalities Linköping, Västerås and Motala are working with their idea process. These activities have provided a good basis for continued work with the implementation project.