| In this exploratory study, the relationship between training and innovation in mental health organizations was examined. The problem that was addressed is that the needs of consumers are not being adequately met in nonprofit mental health organizations, resulting in a need for systemic transformation in the mental health system Innovation may be one way to bring about transformation. Since training was identified in other studies as one factor that may be associated with innovation, the relationship between training and types of innovations (program, administrative, and total) was explored using a correlational study design. In this quantitative study, 2005-2007 training expenditure data was collected from tax returns of 23 non-profit organizations in New York State. Innovation data from 2007-2008 was collected from 23 mail surveys that were completed by human resources professionals who worked in those organizations. Regression analysis was done to assess the relationship between training (measured in dollars and in percentage of revenue) and each group of innovations (program, administrative, and total). One-tailed t-tests were done to test the significance of the six relationships. When training was expressed as percentage of revenue, a significant relationship was found only for total innovation (p=0.01, R2= 0.21). No significant relationship was found for the other variables (p= 0.10 and R 2=0.07 for administrative, p= 0.11 and R2= 0.11 for program). No significant relationships were found when training was expressed in dollars for any of the other relationships (p= 0.37 and R2= 0.005 for total innovation, p= 0.40 and R2= 0.003 for program, p= 0.18 and R2=0.04 for administrative). Leaders of nonprofit mental health organizations may find the results of this study useful in determining how much to spend on training. Leaders who wish to stimulate innovations should spend more on employee training, based on these results. Replication of this study is recommended with modifications to address the limitations of this study (sample size and instrumentation). Further study on other factors that may be associated with innovation in mental health organizations, such as leadership style, employee motivation, methods of knowledge transfer, and characteristics of innovations is also recommended. |
