IS RADICAL INNOVATION MANAGEMENT MISUNDERSTOOD? PROBLEMATISING THE RADICAL INNOVATION DISCIPLINE

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (06) ◽  
pp. 1540010 ◽  
Author(s):  
JIMMI NORMANN KRISTIANSEN ◽  
FRANK GERTSEN

This paper poses a critical view on radical innovation (RI) management research and practice. The study investigates how expected RI performance influences firms’ understanding of their RI capability. RI performance is often based on output measures such as market shares or fiscal return. On the contrary, RI capability building advocates for exploration, learning, and accepting uncertainty. Hence, RI capability building often focuses on the processes of the firms, and not the outcome. Thus, it is argued that the RI capability-building and RI performance expectations are based on different managerial orientations. Coupling a discussion of the literature with case findings from four large international firms, this paper identifies a discrepancy between RI capability-building and RI performance within literature and practice. This is regarded to be a major contributing factor to RI program failure. This study presents three misunderstandings related to RI research and practice and discusses implications of these findings.

2006 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-125
Author(s):  
David R. King

Outsourcing inherently considers what activity needs to reside within a given firm. The difficulty of exchanges between firms in the face of uncertainty affects where work on developing and producing new products is performed. Theory is developed and explored using a case study that explains firm sourcing decisions as a response to uncertainty within the context of industry structure and related transaction costs. Viewing outsourcing broadly results in a better delineation of outsourcing options. Implications for management research and practice are identified.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paavo Ritala ◽  
Sabrina Schneider ◽  
Snejina Michailova

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 5198
Author(s):  
Beverly Pasian

Conversations about projects and project management are changing. Project Management researchers and practitioners are no longer only focused on the processes and practices, but increasingly looking for ‘some truths’ of project management (Morris, 2016) – truth that can be as likely found when considering values as much as knowledge. And what is considered to be so valuable that a new journal is needed to reveal those truths? Quite simply…a better world where humanity’s problems are alleviated through shared and publicly available innovative projects, and socially responsible project management research and practice. And what is PMRP’s role in this quest? To provide a forum where informed dialogue can occur with project management researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimmi Normann Kristiansen ◽  
Paavo Ritala

Purpose Firms frequently struggle with measuring the performance of their radical innovation activities. Due to the uncertainty and ambiguity involved, key performance indicators (KPIs) used for incremental innovation projects are often not useful in this context. The purpose of this paper is to explore suitable KPIs particularly useful for radical innovation projects. Design/methodology/approach This study first reviews commonly used measures for innovation projects, which is then followed by case-study evidence from three industry-leading international firms. This study includes 13 in-depth interviews with innovation managers and directors in these firms, providing insights on how they measure the progress and performance of radical innovation projects. Findings KPIs used commonly in incremental innovation showed lackluster results in the case firms and were problematic for radical innovation context. A key finding was that radical innovation project performance should be evaluated based on the process rather than on the expected outcome. Concurrently, based on the literature review and the cases, three sets of KPIs with 13 specific KPIs useful for radical innovation projects are proposed. Originality/value The paper addresses a core challenge in using established KPIs in a radical innovation context. The paper gathers and synthesizes a range of measurement points suitable for radical innovation projects and provides specific suggestions for appropriate metrics that innovation managers can use.


Author(s):  
Murray E. Jennex

This is the third volume in the Advances in Knowledge Management and I thought it appropriate to start this volume with some reflection on where KM is at and where it is going. This chapter reflects on two key issues—the need to ensure KM is relevant and the risk of KM becoming a fad. The chapter concludes with reflection on the future of KM.


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