The Top Management Team Behaviors that Support Innovation

Abstract

This paper considers top management team (TMT) behaviors that support innovation. Drawing upon upper echelons theory, we explore work behaviors displayed by TMTs, and we do so using two methods: First, a systematic literature review, and, second, 22 exploratory interviews with senior managers at firms recognized for innovation-driven growth. Combined, both methods reveal three broad categories of TMT behavior. The first category reflects the TMT’s handling of ideas, from idea generation through to idea implementation. The second category reflects behaviors that integrate the TMT as a collaborative, innovation-focused team, and the third category is around managing others for innovation. We contribute to the literature by showing that all three sets of behavior are necessary for understanding how TMT decisions orient their firm towards successful innovation. We discuss the implications of these behaviors for management scholars and practitioners.