Examining and Reviewing Innovation Strategies in Australian Public Sector Organisations

The propensity for public sector organisations to innovate has drastically increased over the last two decades. Public sector innovation in this chapter refers to major changes in processes in the Australian public sector. This chapter can serve as an indication of the extent to which the Australian government is providing the infrastructure to support or encourage innovation. In addition, this chapter might help public servants/decision-makers to identify the most favourable behaviours and characteristics that foster a culture of innovation. The findings revealed specific barriers that hinder a culture of innovation and leadership characteristics and organisational climate issues that stimulate a culture of innovation in the government sector. The findings on innovation and leadership are predominantly aggregated in the literature, and this chapter for the first time identifies disaggregated data across eight states of Australia.