Spurring Innovation in Space-based Organizations – a Management Perspective on Past Successes and Future Endeavors

摘要

At its very simplest, the ability of an organization to flourish can be attributed to its ability to innovate.In the current global economic malaise, this is arguably more salient than ever. Organizations that do notadapt quickly will not emerge unscathed, if they emerge at all. Often, organizations are too burdened withthe urgency of the immediate crises and do not take time to infuse strategic initiatives into theiroverscheduled routines; this can be disastrous.But how can organizations, particularly larger enterprises, stimulate a culture of innovation? In thispaper, we will answer that question by taking a deeper look into a management perspective on how thishas been successfully accomplished at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Wewill focus on the Space Sector within the Laboratory and the accompanying space technologies developedwithin it. In particular, we will provide tangible examples of mission-enabling innovations on historicaland current space programs, focusing primarily on NASA's civil space missions. This will be aninsightful look at novel technologies that were critical to the overall formulation and success of spaceprograms. We will also discuss the environment within the Laboratory that enabled these innovations tooccur within the organization, including the role of management throughout these endeavors.Finally, we will discuss on-going efforts to stimulate innovation within the Laboratory. This will coveraspects such as the emerging role of social media for technology innovation and leveraging technologiesintended for one use into other uses (i.e., cross-cutting technologies). Also covered will be the role ofInternal Research and Development (IRAD) activities in helping to support new and disruptive spacetechnologies. We feel this paper will be beneficial to all space-focused organizations that desire to spurinnovation as they formulate their future plans.