Abstract

The case examines the organizational culture at 3M and the way in which it facilitated innovation at 3M. The policies and mechanisms adopted by 3M’s management to encourage the spirit of innovation in its employees are also discussed. The case takes a close look at 3M’s environment of innovation, the culture of knowledge sharing, and the reward system. It also discusses the steps implemented by the new CEO, James McNerney, to accelerate growth at 3M. The impact of cultural change at 3M on the spirit of innovation is also discussed.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Strategies for developing a culture of innovation in an organization.

Keywords

organizational culture, 3M, facilitated innovation, 3M, spirit of innovation, environment, innovation, knowledge sharing, reward system, CEO, James McNerney, cultural change