Introduction
Innovation in business is the process by which an organization is able to renew, change, or create processes or products that are more effective than the current methods used to accomplish a given task or project; the term itself may be used to refer to anything from the implementation of a new idea, the creation and manufacture of new products or improving the existing services that are offered by the organization (What is innovation?, 2014). Innovation has become a common buzzword in today’s businesses and society, but the fact of the matter is that, in spite of this, there are still areas and regions that are not seen as being able to effectively apply this premise, as within the UAE (United Arab Emirates) (Pisani, 2012). Though the UAE, and Dubai in particular, are seen as areas rife with the potential for innovation, various cultural and sociological aspects actually work to prevent the application of new and innovative products, services, and ideas within the region (Pisani, 2012); when an organization is able to flaunt this social construct, it becomes an event worthy of note, as is the case with Mubadala and its subsidy Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies, or ADAT.
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About the Organization
Mubadala Development Company, hereafter to simply be referred to as Mubadala, is a semi-governmental organization located within the confines of Abu Dhabi (Mubadala Development Company, 2014). The organization is an investment and development company whose purpose is to “support the diversification of the UAE” through investment into the social infrastructure of the city while working to assist in the creation of “globally integrated industry sectors in Abu Dhabi” (Mubadala Development Company, 2014). As a result of Mubadala’s mission and goals, it is unsurprising that this entity will be singled out as one of those who may truly apply and foster innovation within the region, given that its purpose is to provide the country with returns that are both direct and tangible through the investment into any and all sectors within the region for the purposes of increasing the country’s presence on the global stage and within the global environment (What we do, 2014).
Business Model
Of the many different sectors that Mubadala invests in, the organization is currently responsible for investments in the financial services sector, the aerospace industry, healthcare, the infrastructure of the country, ICT, logistics and transport, investments, metals and mining, oil and gas, renewable resources, real estate, semi-conductors, and the utilities sector (What we do, 2014). Of the many different sectors in which Mubadala is active within the region, perhaps one of the most innovative at the current time is that of Mubadala Aerospace, whose primary goals and main objectives are to deliver “world-class performance, (create) innovative products, and deliver value-added services to world-wide customers” (Mubadala Aerospace, 2014). Of the different organizations that work to make up Mubadala Aerospace, ADAT shines above others, acting as “the leading independent aviation technical solutions provider” in the Middle East (Mubadala Aerospace, 2014).
Description of the Participant
Creative Climate
What makes Mubadala Aerospace and, consequently, ADAT so innovative and creative is that they are able to offer, through the funding and investments afforded by Mubadala, “a comprehensive set of airframe, engine and component maintenance, and repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities” (Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), 2014). The company itself is able to remain the most innovative and creative in the industry in this sector as a result of its “strategic central location in the Middle East, its strong service capabilities, and its speed and quality of service” (Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), 2014). The organization itself provides services to all individuals within the region who need their services, as opposed to only being willing to provide certain services to certain individuals, or only being willing to provide certain services under contract; in addition, the organization does not limit customers based on the amount of services ordered, being concerned with the quality they provide as opposed to the quantity of work or the quantity of customers received (Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), 2014). As a result of this differentiation in policies, not only is ADAT able to stand out and stand apart from their competition, they are able to maintain a customer base that spans the entire world (Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), 2014).
Origins and Rationale
The opportunity for innovation was identified based upon a given need for these services within the region, the limited amount of organizations that provided some of the services, and the lack of organizations that provided the entire list of services to the region within one place. In order to address this issue, ADAT, wholly owned by Mubadala (Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), 2014), was able to come into existence through the funding offered by Mubadala to support the organization and its ideals.
Position and Description of the Innovation
Though there are some organizations in the region, like Emirate Airlines (Pisani, 2012), that are considered to be paragons of innovation, the fact of the matter is that though the Airlines themselves may be seen as innovative in terms of their setup, even they are not able to offer the same services as ADAT regardless of the individual requesting those services. ADAT is unique in that it works to ensure that the services are provided, with clientele flowing in as a result; in this, it must be stated that ADAT truly worked to adhere to the old adage that if you build it, they will come. This idea of old has served to create one of the most innovative aerospace organizations within the region.
Risks, Problems, Barriers
As with any new investment, there are risks involved, and Mubadala certainly experienced their share with ADAT. Organizations were not created in this manner; working to meet a specific client need or offer a specific service only; instead, Mubadala took all of the services that are needed for aircraft and offered them in one centralized location. The permits, the processes, and the policies themselves needed to be smoothed out. In spite of the glowing reviews that the organization now receives (Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), 2014), it is clear that even still there are some issues, such as potential delays that customers may face while waiting for the completion of their services.
People Involvement
Mubadala invested heavily in ADAT and as a result of their investments, the organization was able to provide them with a turnaround never before seen within the industry in that region, creating a culture of innovation that is still alive and well to this day, with individuals who are still focused on working to ensure that the company is able to maintain its front row seat in terms of not only service and quality, but in terms of innovation in the region and the industry.
Process
The organization was formed in conjunction with the investment team, working to address all areas of concern, and with the stakeholders having a direct and immediate input in the organization’s creation. ADAT is a fully formed and fully flourishing organization at this time, though one that continues to work to push the boundaries of innovation.
Role of IT and IT Systems in the Innovation
IT plays a heavy role within the organization, working to provide a means of tracking maintenance done, keeping the customer database active, and assisting in the maintenance and monitoring of the aircraft and their various components and technical specifications.
Results, Learning and the Future
It is clear that ADAT, and as a result Mubadala Aerospace, is a success within the region, offering mass recognition for the company within the region, meeting all of the planned goals, and allowing for future innovations and developments within the field.
Recommendations and Conclusions
Mubadala Aerospace and ADAT will continue to provide continued successes for the region and the industry, and in working to constantly foster the climate of innovation within the organization, it is clear that the companies are on the right track to guaranteed success in the industry, the region, and the world.
- Business.gov.au. (2014). What is innovation?. Retrieved 23 June 2014, from http://www.business.gov.au
- Mubadala.com, (2014). Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT). [online] Available at: http://www.mubadala.com/en/what-we-do/aerospace/abu-dhabi-aircraft-technologies-adat [Accessed 5 Jun. 2014].
- Mubadala.com, (2014). Mubadala Aerospace. [online] Available at: http://www.mubadala.com/en/what-we-do/aerospace [Accessed 23 Jun. 2014].
- Pisani, F. (2012). Dubai’s Innovation Mirage. The Next Web. Retrieved 23 June 2014, from http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/02/10/dubais-mirage-of-innovation/
