And historically, some forward looking companies not only allow, but require employees to spend some percentage of their time in research independent of their normal job. Everyone knows the evolution of 3M Post-it notes.
When I worked at 3M Central Research Laboratories, I was required to spend 15% of my time on independent research (I was a college student) and the only requirement was that I inform the Technical Director what things I was looking into. I could even spend that time talking to anyone in the Lab
including a guy so intelligent he reported to no one except when he wanted to.
I only managed to patent a special version of magnetic screwdriver. The man in the lab next to me was around 10 years older and had 20+ patents for 3M. The last one I know he did was a very accurate and efficient way to measure blood clotting. The medicos and hospitals desperately wanted that one. So many things can happen when you unfetter your people!