Innovative Spirits. An empirical research on personal characteristics and work behavior of innovators in Italy

The aim of this article is to share the results of a research on personal characteristics and work behavior of innovators in Italy. The study was conducted following two phases, through the integrated use of quantitative and qualitative techniques. The results showed distinctive motivations, personality characteristics, and abilities of innovators: from risk-taking propensity to rejection of authority, to self-esteem. Moreover, the research analyzed innovators' work behaviors and described them through three main action patterns, from idea generation to idea promotion and implementation. By emphasizing the presence of certain contextual variables, such as gender and economic sector, the research aims to undermine the social representation that describes the innovator as a 'genius', in place of a vision in which innovation is a widespread quality of social action.