Genesis at work: Advancing inclusive innovation through manufacturing extension

US manufacturing is struggling with both a productivity and job quality challenge. These challenges are interconnected, reinforcing the need for increased coordination of economic workforce development efforts. This article outlines evaluation findings novel business-facing initiative called Genesis Movement, to understand its role in reshaping experience within small- medium-sized businesses Chicago, Illinois. Spearheaded 2014 by Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), starts premise that practices central business operations, productivity, competitiveness—and therefore, extension services promote improvements support long-term success. integrated approach represents form “inclusive innovation,” expanding capacities firms workers adapt competitive environment where pressures maintain high while reducing costs ever-present. Firms participate learn adopt an inclusive organizational culture, using front-line worker engagement, skills training, drive performance process innovation. As such, offers transferable lessons could be leveraged other manufacturing-supporting organizations benefit their industry clients they employ.