Innovator behavior questionnaire as an expert selecting for technical innovation risk assessment

Abstract

PURPOSE: The objective of this paper is to explore the basic assumptions formerly applied for the development of the innovator behavior questionnaire, and thus to describe the necessary characteristics to be considered when an expert is selected for the purposes of assessing the risk of innovation.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The assessment of the risk of technical innovations involves the need to take into account psychological, technical as well as economic criteria. Such wide range of analysis means that the selection of the staff dealing with the development, implementation and subsequent evaluation of innovations needs to be based on a multicriteria approach.

FINDINGS: The questionnaire adopted five categories of questions, the formation of the mind and personality, expectations, approach to accidental events that beyond expert’s control, knowledge and skills, and commitment. The study was conducted in two areas of representation, in everyday life and professional life. These areas relate to three personality characteristics, locus of control, motivation and stimulation of the decision-maker. In addition, the paper explores areas related to the characteristics of these three basic personality characteristics of the expert.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: As a result of the application of the newly developed tool, which can be used not only in the process of creating an expert team in the company but also in the process of recruiting people to deal with innovation, there is a chance that the risk of failure of innovative solutions can be significantly reduced and the costs associated with the process of implementing and modifying innovations can be limited. Following a broader research in the expert community and a factor analysis the structure of factors characterizing the temperament, mind and personality traits of the expert will be determined and interpreted.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The expert selection method presented in the article forms a new solution that derives its basis in both risk theory and innovation assessment, as well as takes into account psychometric standards.