Introduction/Purpose: This study is to explore the barriers and opportunities to innovation within the Malaysian Army at the individual, team, and organizational levels, addressing a critical gap in military innovation research. Methods: An interpretative phenomenological approach is employed with qualitative data derived from 15 in-depth interviews with military officers and other ranks who have consistently contributed to innovation efforts within the Malaysian Armed Forces. Results: The results revealed that innovation barriers exist across three levels: seven themes were identified at the individual level, six at the team level, and four at the organizational level. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of innovation challenges in structured military environments. Conclusions: The paper highlights the interconnectivity of these barriers and the necessity of a holistic understanding to foster innovation effectively within the Malaysian Army.
Aman et al. (Thu,) studied this question.