Case
SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS ENTERPRISES LIMITED (SPEL) - THE ORGANIZATION THAT DRIVES INNOVATION
INDUSTRY :-
AREA :PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
ORGANIZATION :-
LENGTH :25
LUMS No :03-861-2017-1
PUBLICATION YEAR : 2017
ABSTRACT:
The case is set in the year 2010 when Synthetic Products Engineering Limited (SPEL) had made substantial progress in its industry and had to decide a strategy for the future. The company had been in the light engineering sector of Pakistan for thirty years and had developed a strong internal culture for innovation. The case focuses on various practices implemented by the company to develop a culture of open-mindedness for its employees and in the manufacturing process. The interplay of concepts such as organisational culture, employee empowerment, innovation culture, open systems, open problems, creativity and productive work environment was explored from the lens of a real-life company. It is important to understand the role of an ‘innovation leader’ in shaping up a company’s philosophy and internal practices. The case asks readers to decide whether the company was ready to go for an IPO given the repercussion of this decision would be to add external directors to the company’s board, something which could significantly affect the company’s future direction. The directors would also be prone to dictate their own terms in the company. This would, consequently, affect the internal culture which took almost three decades of perseverance and commitment to reach its current form.