Human side of innovation-individual and organisational environment-related aspects: the case of IBM

This article presents practices applied in the IBM lab in Krakow. The purpose of this research was to identify tools for supporting innovation in the entity. Both hard measurements and employees' opinions on the company and management activities towards stimulating innovation were analysed. In this process, managers and the personnel department play a very important role. A conscious and well-planned concept of building the company's culture and strengthening its value, motivation system, competence model and training policy, and an informed choice of innovation as an element of the company's strategy are made. The article is addressed to managers, HR experts and management consultants. It shows areas material for creating a pro-innovative work environment and describes specific solutions applied by IBM. For this reason, it may inspire readers towards introduction of innovation-supporting changes in other entities, while identifying a group of issues to be considered in that process.