Enactment and coupling - Dimensions of the process of innovation

This article raises two theoretical questions. First, two models of innovat ion art described, as are their strengths and weaknesses. Second these mode ls are integrated and reconstructed within the organizational theory of Kar l E. Weick. The main thesis of this article is that Weick's theory is suita ble for analyzing the process of innovation property and that this theory e nriches the understanding of organizational structures and environments wit hin this process. This thesis is illustrated with an empirical analysis of fourteen mechanical engineering companies from different branches. Two of W eick's main concepts - enactment and loosely coupled systems - have been ta ken to develop an analytical tool. With this tool the author analyzes the p rocesses of innovation in these fourteen mechanical engineering companies. Two types of innovative action are distinguished: the reactive and the refl exive innovation types.