Compassion at Work: Unlocking Innovation in Vietnam’s Public Sector Teams

Abstract

Most people think that innovation in the public sector depends on top-down support from organisations through leadership, resources and strategies. But innovation is not only shaped by organisational influences. In her doctoral research at the College of Business and Economics, The Australian National University, Dr Linh Bui shows how innovation can also emerge from the bottom up. Studying 87 teams of public employees in Vietnam, she found that teams foster innovation when they cultivate compassion. When team members notice each other’s needs, feel empathic concern, and are willing to support one another, teams enable the development of innovative ideas and bring them into practice. For public organisations, this means that fostering innovation is not just about policies or resources. It is also about encouraging employees to care for and support their colleagues, particularly within teams. This dissertation was recognised with the 2025 INGroup J. Richard Hackman Award for the Dissertation that Most Significantly Advances the Study of Groups. Earlier, it also received the 2022 APA Division 49 Group Psychology Grant, one of the competitive awards in the field of psychology.

About speaker

Linh Bui

Linh Bui completed her PhD in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management at the College of Business and Economics (CBE), The Australian National University (ANU), in 2025. Her research focuses on teamwork, emotions, innovation and creativity. Prior to her PhD, Linh worked for six years at the Danang Department of Home Affairs and completed a Master’s degree in Public Management and Policy Analysis at the International University of Japan. She was awarded the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) for her Master’s study and the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship for her PhD. She received the 2022 APA Division 49 Group Psychology Grant for her dissertation. She is also a co-recipient of a USD 20,000 Seed Grant from VinUniversity (Vietnam). Her work has been published in reputable international journals in the field of management, such as Australian Journal of Management and Small Group Research. One of her publications was recognised with the Group Dynamics Most Valuable Paper Award in 2023. She is currently conducting research and teaching at the Research School of Management, CBE, ANU.