Measuring the perceived support for innovation in organizations.

On the basis of previous analyses of a mental hospital and a university graduate program, the authors postulated five a priori dimensions characteristic of innovative organizations. A Likert-type scale measuring members' perception of their organizations on these dimensions was developed and piloted with teachers and students in a traditional and an innovative secondary school. The scale was then refined and administered to 1,899 additional subjects in six traditional high schools. A factor analysis of the responses revealed a major factor (support of creativity) and two smaller factors (tolerance of diversity and feelings of ownership). Reliable factor indices were created for the final 61-item instrument, and a validity study was conducted with two additional innovative schools. Results indicated significant differences on the scale between respondents from innovative and traditional schools. The results and implications are discussed and suggestions made for further use of the scale.