Creative knowledge environments for research groups in biotechnology. The influence of leadership and organizational support in universities and business companies

SummaryThis study analysed how leadership and organizational support (LOS) influences creative knowledge environments for research groups in biotechnology. A questionnaire distributed to 90 (97% responding) university and business company researchers resulted in that leadership was rated higher than organizational support. First, leaders were more important to creativity than organizational support. Secondly, LOS differed to a limited extent between members and leaders, universities and business companies and excellent and less excellent groups. Thirdly, working freedom was rated higher in universities than in business companies. Fourthly, group members perceived they were more encouraged to think freely in comparison to their group leaders. Finally, innovation goals were more pronounced in excellent than less excellent groups.