PS24271 - Understanding the UK Innovation Workforce in Private Sector Organisations

***THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION**** This contract has been awarded.

This procurement is being concluded following a mini competition under the Research and Insights DPS RM6126.

Innovate UK wishes to appoint a supplier to conduct research that will enhance our understanding of the UK's private sector innovation workforce. While the innovation workforce is frequently referred to in policy documents and by policymakers, there is limited depth to our understanding of who exactly comprises the workforce. As such, we risk making assumptions about who innovators are and what they need, as well as reinforcing the 'lone inventor' myth which overlooks the critical role that teams - comprised of multiple skills and levels - play in innovation.

Aims and Objectives of the Project:

To provide a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the UK's innovation workforce within the private sector. This research will map the occupational composition of the workforce, examine variations by business size, sector, and region, and analyze the dynamics and perceptions shaping workforce roles, including the contributions of freelancers and subcontractors. The project will build on existing evidence, identify gaps for further study, and enrich understanding through qualitative insights and illustrative case studies.

Objectives:

• Review existing evidence.

• Map the innovation workforce.

• Analyse workforce dynamics.