Researcher's Corner: Innovation Leadership in Polytechnics Beyond COVID - Sensemaking and Transformation in an Age of Uncertainty
Researcher’s Corner shines the spotlight on research studies that have been published in the Journal of Innovation in Polytechnic Education (JIPE) in 2022.
Abstract: The COVID pandemic has and continues to affect us all. It is the all-encompassing catastrophe that has forced us to face uncertainty and question our values and face our challenges in every aspect of society, including academia. It has also been the commonality that binds us all together, our shared experience in an age of uncertainty. For Polytechnics overall, it has also been a call-to-action and has clearly demonstrated our ability to innovate, adapt and overcome. Whether it has been the transitioning to an online, remote workforce or the accelerated use of new technological advances in education, Polytechnics have embraced these challenges and pivoted to meet the needs of students, faculty and industry. As such, Polytechnics have continued to emerge, now well positioned to prepare Canada for a prosperous future and growth through insights learned during the pandemic and innovative new educational program offerings and formats.
This paper discusses the critically important role of innovation leadership in Polytechnics beyond COVID. Starting with an example of innovation, I will introduce the new interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Transformation (C4DT) at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. This centre brings people together from across various distinct communities of practise and expertise to confront complex modern challenges through a process of communication, collaboration and sensemaking. Then merging significant literature review, I will examine recent success stories and practise transformations that shine light on Polytechnics innovation leadership role beyond COVID. Finally, I will examine the future of Polytechnics in an age of uncertainty and challenge readers to reflect upon what they have learned over the past year and consider the question, How can their own Polytechnics embrace these insights through sensemaking and transformation to embrace innovation leadership beyond COVID?
Read the full article: Innovation Leadership in Polytechnics Beyond COVID: Sensemaking and Transformation in an Age of Uncertainty
Why did you choose this research topic?
Steve: I have always been interested in innovation leadership and exploring organizational transformation through the lens of sensemaking. My research also correlates directly with the concept of interdisciplinary centers of competence created by Dr. Tom Roemer, VP Academic for the British Columbia Institute of Technology. These centres, or platforms, were designed to leverage knowledge that reside in multiple disciplines and encourages discourse and exchange. As such, these centres have become the vehicle for my exploration into organizational transformation over the past few years.
What next? What do you see as the impact of this research study?
Steve: My research will continue for the next couple of years, and I will be further exploring organizational transformation through the lens of sensemaking. I am also interested in evaluating how behavioural insight solutions can be used as part of organizational transformation. This research will also include the design and elements of a new hybrid environment or framework called “common ground” in which innovation and entrepreneurship are encouraged and supported. I anticipate that my research will provide a framework/guide which can be used as part of a continuous organizational transformation process. This will enable organizations to successfully adapt during this age of uncertainty—futureproof.
What is/are your favourite book(s)?
Steve: I honestly find value in every book that I read. As quoted by Theodore Roosevelt—“I am a part of everything that I have read.” Over the past summer I had the opportunity to read several books including, Beachcombing at Miramar by Richard Bode, The Shock Doctrine – The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein, The Future of Workplace Fear – How Human Reflex Stands in the Way of Digital Transformation by Steve Prentice, Walden by Henry David Thoreau, Effective Organizational Change – Leading Through Sensemaking by Einar Iveroth and Jacob Hallencreutz and The Connected Company by Dave Gray.
About
As an alumnus and the third generation of his family to attend the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Steve Wilson is honoured to be part of the new Centre for Digital Transformation at BCIT. With over 30 years of industry experience in the information and communications technology ecosystem, Steve is passionate about helping people and organizations with their digital transformation journey and strategic innovation goals.
Combined with a number of professional and academic certifications (MBA, BTech, CFE, CFCI), Steve epitomizes industry best practices within the field of information and communication technology, providing strategic insights for successful outcomes. Some of his past clients come from a variety of industries including financial services, law enforcement, oil and gas, retail, legal services, government, transportation, education, and non-profit.
Being an advocate of innovation and lifelong learning, Steve is also currently pursuing his PhD. in the field of public sector innovation management, information governance, and international public policy issues related to the internet and universal access. Steve also continues to assist in the development of post-secondary training opportunities, online learning initiatives, innovation leadership and provides engaging presentations at industry events and conferences, both in person and in our new virtual/hybrid world. Contact Steve to learn more about the new Centre for Digital Transformation and some of the exciting strategic initiatives including the BCIT Smart Campus Initiative.