More than a third (39%) of HR professionals see their roles as strategic in fostering innovation but only 12% receive high investment in innovation from their organisation.

A report on innovation, launched yesterday by change and innovation consultancy Entheo at the European HR Directors Business Summit in Birmingham, showed almost half (49%) of HR professionals polled think innovation is important for the success of their business, 30% believe innovation is important when business is doing well and 40% think innovation is critical doing difficult periods.

Natalie Turner, founder and CEO of Entheo, said: "HR is on the precipice of moving into an innovative future and it must be innovative daily. HR needs to have a values-based approach - it wants to be innovative but day-to-day business takes priority. Innovation is critical, but there is very little investment."

Full research will be available at the end of February.