THE MEASURING OF EFFICIENCY OF THE INVENTION-INNOVATION MANAGEMENT OF IDEAS IN SLOVENIAN COMPANIES

Inovativnost je danes glavna konkurenčna prednost podjetij. Lahko trdimo, da je predpogoj za uspešnost podjetij v današnji družbi znanja. V razmerah današnje negotovosti, pogostosti in kompleksnosti sprememb se lahko podjetje obdrži samo, če je usmerjeno k iskanju sprememb. Te pa izhajajo iz percepcije sprememb kot priložnosti in ne kot svarila in nevarnosti. Poslovno okolje od vsakega podjetja zahteva inovacijsko dejavnost, kot predpogoj za uspešnost, ki mora biti dobro organizirano pod okriljem managementa idej. To pa zahteva strateško razmišljanje, ki ne sme biti samo želja posameznikov v podjetju. Zato je potrebno vzpostaviti ugodne razmere, ki omogočajo inovacijsko dejavnost v vseh poslovnih segmentih podjetja. Danes, ko se krči obseg klasičnih fizičnih in ponavljajočih se opravil, se hkrati pojavlja vedno več nalog, kjer morajo zaposleni ustvarjalno delovati. To pa pomembno spreminja strukturo in vlogo zaposlenih. Od teh se danes pričakuje predvsem dejavno poseganje v prilagajanje vsebine dela in hkrati vplivanje na spremembo dejavnikov novega izziva. Za uspešno delovanje organizacije je zelo pomembno komuniciranje navzgor. Če hočemo doseči visoke delovne cilje, moramo vse moči podrediti odkritemu sodelovanju vseh akterjev v družbi. Za to pa morajo biti le-ti pripravljeni sodelovati, biti usposobljeni in zaupati ter verjeti v uspeh. In pomembno vlogo za uspeh in povezavo vseh dejavnosti ima v družbi management idej. Inovacijska dejavnost je torej danes ena temeljnih aktivnosti podjetja, ki omogoča hitrejše uvajanje novih produktov/storitev kot ostala konkurenca. Za vzpostavitev omenjene dejavnosti v družbi pa čarobnega recepta ne moremo ponuditi. Rezultati jasno kažejo pot, po kateri mora podjetje stopati, kot tudi pomembne vidike managementa idej. Prvi korak je gotovo odločitev vodilnih in jasna strategija inovativnosti v podjetju. Nadaljnji koraki so povezani z izgradnjo ustrezne inovativne kulture in klime. Potrebno je izvesti vrsto aktivnosti, med katerimi je gotovo najpomembnejša dvig ustvarjalnosti z uporabo različnih orodij in tehnik, ter izobraževanje in usposabljanje zaposlenih. Prepričan sem, da je ustvarjalna miselnost v povezavi z znanjem in odločnostjo najpomembnejši dejavnik pri dvigovanju inovativnosti v slovenskih podjetjih.Innovation is nowadays the main competitive advantage of companies. We may claim that it is, in fact, a precondition for the success of companies in today\u27s knowledge society. In the current situation of insecurity, frequency and complexity of changes, a company can survive only if it is focused on seeking changes. The latter, however, should be perceived as opportunities, not as threats and danger. The business environment demands from every company to be innovative as a precondition of success, which has to be organized well under the aegis of the management of ideas. This requires strategic thinking that cannot be merely a wish of some individuals in a company. It is therefore necessary to create favorable conditions that enable innovation activity in all business segments of the company. Nowadays, the amount of traditional physical and repetitive chores is shrinking, while the amount of tasks which demand active and creative involvement from employees is increasing. This trend is importantly transforming also the structure and role of employees. They are expected to take active part in adjusting the contents of work, as well as influencing the change in factors of new challenge. Bottom-up communication is very important for the organization to function successfully. If we want to achieve high work goals, we have to focus all our energy on open cooperation between all agents in the society. For this end, however, the latter have to be prepared to cooperate, be qualified, trustworthy and create success. In achieving the success and linking all activities, the management of ideas has an important role to play in the society. Innovation activity is today, therefore, one of the basic company activities, which facilitates the faster introduction of new products/services compared to the competition. There is no magic recipe to establish the above-mentioned activity in the society. The results, however, clearly show the way which the company should follow as well as the important aspects of the management of ideas. The first step is undoubtedly the decision, taken by the management, and a clear strategy of innovation in the company. Next steps have to do with the creation of an appropriate innovation culture and climate. It is necessary to carry out a series of tasks, among which the most important is certainly the rise of creativity by utilizing various tools and techniques, as well as education and training of employees. I am convinced that creative mentality is, in connection with knowledge and determination, the most important factor in increasing of innovativeness in Slovenian companies