The dual nature of innovation in government: differentiating between generation and borrowing

While innovation in government is well-studied, the distinction between innovation generation and borrowing is often overlooked. This study addresses this gap by proposing a newness-based conceptual framework and introducing an Automated Text Analysis Based Innovation Measurement method to empirically identify generation and borrowing through newness. An analysis of Chinese provincial ‘Government Work Reports’ from 2009 to 2022 reveals that organizational factors, particularly governors’ characteristics and government size, influence innovation generation. Innovation borrowing, however, is affected by environmental and organizational factors. The empirical evidence highlights the importance of developing this distinction, to better understand innovations with differing determinants and implications.