Execution Quote by Vijay Govindarajan
““Organizations are not designed for innovation. Quite the contrary, they are designed for ongoing operations.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Other Side of Innovation by Vijay Govindarajan, 2014
Organizations focus on routine operations, not on creating new ideas, because their structures and incentives favor stability over change.
In simple terms: Companies prioritize daily work over innovation.
Key Takeaway
Re‑engineer structures to foster innovation.
Themes
innovation
organization
operations
change
strategy
Mood
strategic
analytical
Type
business
leadership
When to use this quote
- product development
- process redesign
- strategic planning
- team workshops
Key Concepts
systems thinking
leadership
creative processes
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you embed innovation into daily work?
- What incentives motivate creative risk‑taking?
A Different Perspective
Changing entrenched processes can meet resistance.
