The critical evaluation of the R&D innovation capability within the military manufacturing industry

Abstract

Since the end of World War II, most countries have accepted that a vital feature of national security policy is the military manufacturing industries (MMIs). Previous studies have shown that innovating both organizationally and technologically is historically the most promising approach in increasing military power and effectiveness. In this endeavour, MMIs are striving to become more innovative to satisfy military needs. Published studies have described various inhibitors to innovation in military organisations and military culture. The close interaction between the military entities and MMIs and the involvement of military veterans in MMIs’ R&D processes lead to the hypothesis that the innovation capability within the MMIs might be negatively affected. Nevertheless, there is a gap in the literature examining the innovative capability of organisations within MMIs. Therefore, this study critically evaluates the innovation capability of research and development (R&D) within the MMI sector. The aims of this study are to a) experimentally examine the MMI’s R&D innovation capability to contribute to the formulation of the diagnostic baseline for performance improvement, b) narrow the gap in the literature regarding the influence of the ‘military culture/environment’ of the stakeholders on MMI innovation and c) conceptualise factors that could potentially hinder innovation in MMIs. In this study, the Innovation Phase Assessment Instrument (IPAI) was used to determine the extent to which the investigated MMI was aligned to the states of the antecedents that favour innovation. Results show that the overall alignment for the investigated MMI was 67.92% which is good alignment relative to ideal innovation. Furthermore, results highlight a weakness in the press dimension, which represents the alignment of the organisational culture/environment to the ideal status for innovation. Finally, employees having a military background had no significant effect on the innovation capacity for the investigated MMI.