Innovation, Insight, and Influence: Success Strategies in the Careers of Top R&D Technologists Who Are Women

Navigating the technical, social, and political complexities of technology R&D organizations can be a challenge in any innovation effort. The challenge may be quantitatively and qualitatively different for members of underrepresented groups in these organizations. Appreciating that members of underrepresented groups may approach innovation activities differently and be influenced by the organizational context differently, the study focuses on twenty technologists who are women in the upper R&D ranks of a large corporation. The technologists were interviewed about the ways in which they approach the technology, manage their careers, and influence the organization in order to achieve success in technology innovation. Using an interactionist career approach, a common narrative of women's progress has been developed. Themes of organizational position and movement and perfectionism are also explored.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Burgon, Holli

Contributors dc:contributor

• Schwandt, Thomas A.

• Women's Studies

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3362737

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/80084