2012-02-13 Wall Street Journal – For anyone lamenting the decline of big U.S. innovators like Kodak or worried that U.S. industry is losing its creative mojo, we bring you this good-news story—a reminder that some manufacturers have gotten innovation right:
Up in the labs, Chris DeSoiza, the head of research, explains why. Milliken, he says, is able to nab graduates from the best schools because they can do deep science at the company. Walking down Milliken’s Innovators Hall of Fame, where employee names are posted alongside patents, Mr. DeSoiza says researchers can use 15% of their time to investigate whatever they like. Proven innovators get 50%.
The idea is to let researchers follow their curiosity to a marketable end. And if the boss doesn’t like your idea, there are other venues in the organization you can petition—and that have the power to greenlight your project. Every month, Milliken also brings in outside experts to share ideas and stir the pot. Rest