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Culture of Equality Is Powerful Multiplier of Workplace Innovation, New Accenture Research FindsDisconnect between C-suite and employees on innovation. TORONTO, March 8, 2019 /CNW/ - A workplace culture of equality is a powerful multiplier of innovation and growth, according to new research from Accenture (NYSE: ACN). Published today in the company's "Getting to Equal 2019" report, the research found that in Canada, employees' innovation mindset—their willingness and ability to innovate—is nearly six times higher in companies with a robust culture of equality, where everyone can advance and thrive, than in least-equal companies. "In order to truly thrive, organizations need to be continuously innovating to offset disruptions within their respective industries" said Claudia Thompson, Accenture's managing director for health and public service and lead for inclusion and diversity in Canada. "The impact of having a diverse workforce and culture of equality is a powerful multiplier of innovation and growth within a company." According to the research, the vast majority of executives around the world agree that continuous innovation is essential: 95 percent see innovation as vital to competitiveness and business viability. A culture of equality is a powerful driver of an innovation mindset—more than other factors that differentiate organizations, such as industry, country or workforce demographics. Among those surveyed, people across all genders, sexual identities, ages and ethnicities show a stronger innovation mindset in more equal workplace cultures. Accenture's new research is based on a survey of more than 18,000 professionals in 27 countries, including 700 in Canada, a survey of more than 150 C-suite executives in eight countries and a model that combines employee survey results with published labor force data. It builds on Accenture's 2018 research, which identified 40 workplace factors that contribute to a culture of equality, and grouped them into three actionable categories: Bold Leadership, Comprehensive Action and Empowering Environment. This year's research determined that an empowering environment is by far the most important of the three culture-of-equality categories in increasing an innovation mindset, which consists of six elements: purpose, autonomy, resources, inspiration, collaboration and experimentation. The more empowering the workplace environment, the higher the innovation mindset score. For instance, Canadian employees in robust cultures of equality are seven times more likely to say that nothing holds them back from innovating (39 percent in most equal cultures vs. 5 percent in least equal cultures). However, organizations must close the important gap the research revealed between C-suite executives and employees. While 76 percent of executives globally said they empower employees to innovate, only 37 percent of employees agree. For example, executives appear to overestimate financial rewards, and underestimate purpose, as motivations for employees to innovate. In a more equal culture, the strongest factors underpinning an innovation mindset include providing relevant skills training, flexible working arrangements and respect for work life balance. Diversity is a critical building block High economic stakes "Accelerating equality in the workplace has never been more critical for driving innovation," said Ellyn Shook, Accenture's chief leadership & human resources officer. "If people feel a sense of belonging and are valued by their employers for their unique contributions, perspectives and circumstances, they are more likely to advance and feel empowered to innovate." Read the global report at accenture.com/gettingtoequal Methodology About Accenture SOURCE Accenture |