Practice-based innovation: a learning perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the idea of practice-based innovation and to propose a framework that can be used to conceptualize and analyze practice-based innovation processes in organizations. Design/methodology/approach – The argument is driven by conceptual analysis and theoretical synthesis based on theory and research on innovation, organizational change, individualand organizational learning. Findings The proposed framework portrays practice-based innovation as a cyclical process of adaptive and developmental learning driven by contradictions and tensions between explicit and implicit dimensions of work processes. Originality/value – The paper adds to previous research through its focus on practice-based innovation and the conceptualization of this notion in terms of learning in and through everyday work. It thus creates connections between innovation research and research on workplace learning.