A global analysis of innovation and workplace personality

Abstract

The study aims to provide an under presented macro view of the relationship between personality and innovation outcomes with greater representation of non-Western nations. It further aims to provide a more nuanced view by utilising a granular model of personality consisting of 32 dimensions that can be linked back to current findings in relation to the Big Five Model. The purpose of this study is to identify specific personality dimensions which could describe macro-level innovativeness due to covariance with national innovation outcomes then extrapolate these findings to make sectoral comparisons. In order to achieve these aims, Global Innovation Index (GII) data from 2013 to 2016 was combined with Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) data from 2009 to 2016. The GII data comprises of innovation input measures (five pillars consisting of 15 sub-indices) and output measures (two pillars consisting of six sub-indices) for between 128 and 143 countries depending on year. The OPQ data represents the responses of 3 066 905 individuals across 122 countries and 41 sectors. The study finds that numerous dimensions of personality have significant associations, some positive and some inverse, with innovation outcomes at the national level. There is both overlap and disparities between dimensions that are prominent in cross-sectional versus panel analysis. A high preference for affiliative and low preference for rule following is highlighted as particularly noteworthy. When examining sectors there is coherence in the relative ranking of sectors when these two key dimensions are considered. In conclusion a deep dive of sector pairs (pharmaceutical & biotechnology versus mining and media versus banking) is conducted to illustrate the applications of the study. The study is noted to have relevance to academia; leaders of nations and policy makers as well as leaders of industry and organisational practitioners.