Innovation trends and organizational antipatterns

Business expert Derk van der Harst highlights a declining trend in innovation within the Netherlands, noting that the country's global innovation ranking fell from 4th place in 2019 to 8th in 2025. In his book ‘Innoventie!’, Van der Harst identifies seventeen ‘antipatterns’—ineffective habits, structures, and beliefs—that obstruct organizational progress. These include departmental silos, bureaucracy, and poor leadership.

To counter these issues, the text suggests implementing innovative methods focused on efficiency, flexibility, and customer-centricity. Strategies include optimizing business processes through data-driven insights, automating repetitive tasks, and utilizing technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Establishing innovation labs and fostering collaborations with start-ups are also recommended to overcome technological knowledge gaps and strengthen competitive positions.