Losing innovativeness: the challenge of being acquired

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to explore how innovativeness and creativity in a small technology company changes after the company is acquired by a larger company.Design/methodology/approach – The empirical part of the article is based on interview and questionnaire data, with a focus on employees' perception of innovativeness and creativity, including their own innovativeness in relation to the possibilities offered within the organisational structure.Findings – The results indicate that entrepreneurial spirit, innovativeness, and creativity in the case company were related to the lack of boundaries to and contact with customers. These driving forces could not be sustained when the organisation matured and was acquired by a larger company.Research limitations/implications – More research regarding the integration phase of acquisitions, and how it affects employees and innovativeness, is needed. Case‐based research should examine differences between companies that are repeatedly successful in integrat...

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