Uncovering Covert Innovation

The book explores the dynamics between informal innovation efforts, known as bootlegging, and formal management systems within companies. It examines how employees navigate and bypass established barriers to introduce valuable innovations. Through qualitative and quantitative research, the author addresses the current understanding of bootlegging in R&D, the challenges bootleggers face in gaining legitimacy for their projects, and the impact of various management styles on the prevalence of such covert initiatives. The findings highlight the complex relationship between unofficial innovation and corporate management.