Analysis Of Culture Of Innovation In Project Management Of Costa Rican Solar Energy Companies

Even though in Costa Rica the solar energy industry is incipient,over the years the number of micros,small and medium-sized companies(MSMEs),grouped in the Costa Rican Solar Energy Association(Acesolar),has been growing.To the import of photovoltaic systems to offer services through consulting projects,marketing,and installation of solar panels so organizations and families can take advantage of solar energy as an alternative source to replace conventional electric power.Precisely because of the characteristics of solar energy and the technologies involved,MSMEs are obliged to innovate permanently and,for this reason,they need to promote a culture of innovation that involves technical,managerial and corporate personnel.Although companies have managed to maintain their competitiveness,it is unknown what are the factors of the culture of innovation that have allowed these companies to remain in the market and manage consulting,marketing and panel installation projects.With this purpose,in this thesis the objective is addressed:Analyze the construction of innovation culture in the project management of Costa Rican solar energy companies.Based on the perceptions that the managers of MSMEs have,it was determined that innovation is present in the daily activities of the companies in the study.In this sense,the culture of innovation that they have been introducing allows companies to manage the consulting,marketing and installation projects of solar panel systems and the generation of ideas to incubate innovative concepts in the formulation and execution of the same projects.As part of the factors of the culture of innovation that were identified in this study,it can be said that companies have participative management styles that promote the incorporation of innovative ideas in projects.The diversity of thoughts in the construction of new ideas is stimulated,and the positive contributions in the management of the projects are communicated internally.Failure is allowed if it is a consequence of the creative process.Workers are rewarded for sharing knowledge and collective achievements in the projects of advice,marketing and installation of photovoltaic systems.Unfortunately,also the culture of innovation presents some absences that negatively affect the projects.For example,companies maintain different types of permits and approvals to undertake new solutions in the management of projects,which undermines innovation.On the other hand,although the willingness of companies to adapt to changes persists,they do not have the policies,internal regulations or procedures to manage the changes that must be carried out in order to successfully adapt to the competitive environment.