The concept of management innovation: definition, state of the art and future research avenues

The invention, implementation and diffusion of management innovation is a new research area. This paper identifies the main steps of development of this concept. By analysing the specificity of management innovation against other kinds of innovation, the authors adopt a historical overview to describe the slow recognition of this concept in the literature. They also identify the main drivers of management innovation, its impact on firm performance, question its role and determinants in non-profit organisations. This paper provides also instances from recent management practices within contemporary organisations.