O propósito desta tese é analisar como as competências individuais interferem na gestão de inovação, em duas empresas com características diferentes. Para tanto, faz-se uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os fundamentos e os elementos de competência individual e de gestão de inovação para guiar as discussões futuras e a construção da metodologia de pesquisa. Na busca de ampliar a compreensão e a discussão dos principais aspectos da pesquisa através da triangulação de métodos, a análise dos resultados está divida em duas fases. Na primeira fase, qualitativa, destaca-se o estudo de casos em duas empresas com foco em inovação e que estão implementando sistemas estruturados de gestão de competências a fim de compará-los. Na segunda fase, quantitativa, descreve-se a pesquisa survey e a análise estatística uni, bi e multivariada dos dados coletados com a intenção de apresentar um estudo triangular dos principais resultados. Tais resultados permitem concluir a que interferência positiva dos elementos das competências individuais varia de acordo com a integração dos elementos da gestão de inovação praticada pela empresa em questão. Finalmente, como contribuição do estudo é definida uma taxonomia para a integração entre as competências individuais e a gestão de inovação. / The purpose of this research is to analyze the influence of individual competences in innovation management, in two different organizations. Thus a bibliographic review includes the fundamental and the elements of individual competence and innovation management to guide future considerations and methodology construction. In order to enlarge the comprehension and the discussion of the main aspects related to practical investigation using a triangular study, the results analyze is divide in two phases. The first phase, qualitative, presents and compares the study cases in two organizations with innovation goals and a new framework of competences. The second phase, quantitative, points the survey research and statistical analysis to explain the triangular study. In the final section, is presented taxonomy of integration between individual competences and innovation management.

Os desafios do desenvolvimento sustentável apresentam inúmeras oportunidades e ameaças às organizações. Nesta realidade, inovar passa a ser ainda mais imprescindível para a competitividade organizacional, mas não a inovação tradicional, um novo tipo que integre as questões da sustentabilidade - a inovação sustentável. Compreender as competências relacionadas à sua gestão e sua forma de desenvolvimento é fundamental para o sucesso. Apesar dessa importância, verificou-se a inexistência de pesquisas com foco sistêmico considerando a evolução de todas as competências da gestão da inovação bem como o seu relacionamento com a evolução das gestões da inovação e da sustentabilidade. Neste contexto, esta pesquisa descritiva exploratória propõe um modelo de estágios evolutivos em gestão da inovação sustentável e suas características e competências específicas. Para tanto, realizou-se três estudos de caso longitudinal em empresas industriais multinacionais líderes em sustentabilidade e inovação, analisando-se a situação atual e evolução individual dos seus sistemas de gestão da inovação, da sustentabilidade e da inovação sustentável. Como resultado, propõe-se um padrão evolutivo da gestão da inovação sustentável de três estágios - reativo, preventivo e estratégico - com seus respectivos conjuntos de competências de gestão. Enquanto no estágio reativo, o foco da gestão da inovação sustentável reside no atendimento à legislação, no preventivo tem-se a ênfase na prevenção de riscos de SSMA e melhoria da ecoeficiência, e no estratégico, a inovação sustentável como fonte de vantagem competitiva. Ademais, identificaram-se três estágios evolutivos da gestão da sustentabilidade - reativo, preventivo e estratégico - e quatro da gestão da inovação - operacional, estratégico hard, estratégico soft e estratégico melhoria. Por fim, verificou-se que a evolução da gestão da inovação e da sustentabilidade mostrou-se linear (todas empresas passaram pelos estágios de forma sequencial), enquanto no caso da gestão da inovação sustentável, não-linear. / The challenges of sustainable development can trigger a new wave of creative destruction and innovation creating opportunities as well as threats to organizations. In this new reality, innovation becomes even more essential for organizational competitiveness, but not the traditional one, a new type that integrates sustainability concerns - the sustainable innovation. Therefore, to understand sustainable innovation management competences as well how they can be developed is crucial to its success. Despite this relevance, none study was found in the extant literature with a holist view of how the sustainable innovation management competences develop in time and their relationship with sustainability and innovation management evolution. In this context, this descriptive exploratory research contributes to address this gap by aiming to propose a framework of evolutionary stages, and features, that companies can follow in building their sustainable innovation management competence. To do so, three longitudinal case studies in multinational companies, leaders in sustainability and innovation, were carried out through the analysis of their evolution in management of sustainability, innovation and sustainable innovation. As a result, it is proposed an evolutionary framework of sustainable innovation management with three stages - reactive, preventive and strategic - and their respective sets of management competences. While in the reactive stage, the focus of sustainable innovation management lies on compliance with the law; the preventive stage emphasizes HSE risk prevention and eco-efficiency; and in the strategic, sustainable innovation is considered source of competitive advantage. Furthermore, it was identified three evolutionary stages of sustainability management - reactive, preventive and strategic - and four of innovation management - operational, strategic hard, soft and strategic improvement. Finally, it was found that the evolutions of innovation and sustainability management were linear (all companies passed sequentially through the stages), while in the case of sustainable management innovation nonlinear.

Submitted by Mariana Dornelles Vargas (marianadv) on 2015-05-05T18:29:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 proposta_analise.pdf: 5832655 bytes, checksum: be3d5c6598c12984fb3e4a08d2da2865 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-05T18:29:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 proposta_analise.pdf: 5832655 bytes, checksum: be3d5c6598c12984fb3e4a08d2da2865 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-18 / Nenhuma / Este trabalho trata da temática da gestão da inovação em ambientes hospitalares. O entendimento da inovação como um meio para o incremento da competitividade das organizações suscita o desenvolvimento de métodos e modelos que permitam gerenciá-la. Esse movimento, originário da indústria de manufatura, vem se desenvolvendo também na indústria de serviços, inclusive nos serviços hospitalares. No contexto hospitalar a inovação age não somente como um critério competitivo, mas como uma forma de aprimorar a qualidade e segurança dos serviços prestados por estas instituições, contribuindo assim para o bem estar geral da população. O presente estudo fez uso de uma abordagem qualitativa exploratória para analisar os elementos relacionados à gestão da inovação em um ambiente hospitalar. Parte-se da proposição de um quadro conceitual, o qual foi construído com bases na literatura sobre inovação e gestão da inovação, inovação em serviços e inovação em ambientes hospitalares. O quadro conceitual proposto, após ter sido avaliado por especialistas, foi então aplicado em um ambiente hospitalar específico - o Hospital Mãe de Deus, localizado em Porto Alegre, RS - por meio da realização de entrevistas semi-estruturadas com profissionais desta organização. Os dados provenientes das entrevistas foram analisados com uso da técnica de análise de conteúdo e, posteriormente, triangulados com dados originários de análise de documentos e observação não participante realizada no ambiente sob estudo. Os resultados da aplicação do quadro conceitual no Hospital Mãe de Deus foram então discutidos, emergindo elementos para a proposição de refinamentos no referido quadro. Os resultados apontam para a aderência do instrumento proposto como um elemento aplicável para a compreensão da gestão da inovação em ambientes hospitalares. Como resultado desta análise, foi verificada a forte influência das relações interorganizacionais do hospital com outros atores do sistema de saúde no desenvolvimento de inovações. Dentre essas, tem destaque o papel dos organismos de certificação e acreditação, médicos e universidades e centros de pesquisa (pesquisa científica). / This work deals with the themes of innovation management in hospital settings. The understanding of innovation as a means to increase the competitiveness of organizations raises the development of methods and models to manage it. This movement, originating in the manufacturing industry, is developing also in the service industry, including hospital services. In the hospital context innovation not only acts as a competitive criterion, but as a way to improve the quality and safety of services provided by these institutions, thus contributing to the general welfare of the population. This study uses a qualitative exploratory approach to analyze the aspects of innovation management in a hospital environment. It starts with the proposition of a conceptual framework, which was constructed with bases in the literature on innovation and innovation management, innovation in services and innovation in hospital environments. The conceptual framework proposed, after being evaluated by specialists, was applied in a specific hospital environment - the Hospital Mãe de Deus - by conducting semi-structured interviews with professionals in this organization. Data from interviews were analyzed using the technique of content analysis and then triangulated with data originating from document analysis and non-participant observation conducted in the environment under study. The results of applying the conceptual framework Hospital Mãe de Deus were then discussed, emerging evidence for the proposition of refinements in this framework. The results point to the adherence of the proposed instrument as an element apply to the understanding of innovation management in hospital settings. As a result of this analysis, there was the strong influence of interorganizational relationships with other actors of the hospital health system in developing innovations. Among these, has highlighted the role of certification bodies and accreditation, and medical universities and research centers (scientific research).

Com o consumo de etanol superando o de gasolina desde 2008, o Brasil é único país do mundo onde domina o combustível renovável, e o fóssil é o \"alternativo\". O foco deste trabalho é apresentar o projeto para produção do plástico verde, um biopolímero produzido com etanol da cana. O etanol destaca-se como uma alternativa à nafta (do petróleo). O eteno de origem fóssil, que provém da nafta, responde por 90% a 95% dos custos totais da cadeia de suprimento dos plásticos. No Brasil, a cana-deaçúcar e o etanol mostram-se mais competitivos que a nafta, \"grosso modo\", sempre que o barril do petróleo supera US$ 55. Quando comparado com o plástico da nafta, em torno de 4,5 kg de CO2 não são adicionados à atmosfera no processo para produção de 1,0 kg do plástico verde. Essa pode ser categorizada como mudança tecnológica \"empurrada\" no primeiro momento (anos 60) e \"puxada\" no momento atual (DOSI, 1982). Trata-se de uma ideia pré-existente na organização que foi novamente aplicada (HARGADON; SUTTON, 2000) e uma variação do processo genérico de desenvolvimento de produto proposto por Ulrich e Eppinger (2004). Contribui com o modelo de fatores que impactam no sucesso do produto sugerido por Brown e Eisenhardt (1995) ao agregar o fator \"processo tecnológico\" ao modelo. Este estudo também busca analisar implicações no mercado brasileiro de etanol mediante o movimento de inserção do álcool na cadeia produtiva petroquímica (alcoolquímica). A análise de mercado no curto prazo (2011) aponta uma demanda tímida para a alcoolquímica de cerca de 2% ou 700 milhões de litros/ano do total da demanda prevista de 33 bilhões de litros de etanol. Serão necessárias em torno de 688,5 milhões de toneladas de cana para suprir o mercado interno e externo de álcool e açúcar, que ocuparão cerca de 8,3 milhões de hectares (2,4% das terras aráveis brasileiras). Chama a atenção o crescente aumento da frota flex fuel brasileira, que poderá demandar cerca de 55 bilhões de litros de etanol até 2020, salvo desequilíbrio no preço do álcool versus o preço da gasolina e o potencial do mercado externo de 39 bilhões de litros. Estudo da ABIQUIM (2007), BNDES Setorial 2009 aponta a possibilidade de déficit de capacidade de eteno e propeno em 2020. Hoje, o País produz 70% do que consome de nafta (a produção de nafta representa apenas 8% dos derivados produzidos no País). Com a demanda global de eteno, em 2005, de 105 milhões de toneladas (CMAI, 2005 apud HORTA NOGUEIRA, 2008), com uma penetração de apenas 10% do etanol em v substituição a outros insumos, tem-se um mercado de 23 bilhões de litros de etanol, o que pode ser um desafio para a produção brasileira. / With ethanol consumption exceeding that of gasoline since 2008, Brazil is only country in the world where it dominates the renewable fuel, and the fossil is the alternative. The focus of this paper is to present the project for production of green plastic, a biopolymer produced ethanol from sugarcane. Ethanol stands out as an alternative to naphtha (petroleum). The ethylene produced from fossil fuels, which comes from naphtha accounts for 90% to 95% of the total supply chain of plastics. In Brazil, sugar cane and ethanol show to be more competitive than naphtha, \"roughly\" where a barrel of oil exceeds US$ 55. When compared with plastic naphtha, about 4,5 kg of CO2 are not added to the atmosphere in the process to produce 1,0 kg of green plastic. This can be categorized as technological change \"pushed\" at first (60) and \"pull\" at the present time (DOSI, 1982). This is an idea to pre-existing organization that was reapplied (HARGADON, SUTTON, 2000) and a variation of the general process of product development proposed by Ulrich and Eppinger (2004). Contributes to the model of factors that impact the success of the product suggested by Brown and Eisenhardt (1995) by adding the factor \"process technology\" to the model. This study also seeks to analyze the implications of the Brazilian ethanol market by the movement of insertion of alcohol in the petrochemical production chain. The market in the short term (2011) points to a demand for Ethanol timid about 2% or 700 million liters / year of total projected demand of 33 billion liters of ethanol. Will be needed around 688,5 million tons of sugarcane to supply the domestic and foreign alcohol and sugar, which occupy about 8,3 million hectares (2,4% of arable land in Brazil). Draws attention to the increasing Brazilian flex-fuel fleet, which will require about 55 billion liters of ethanol by 2020 unless imbalance in the price of ethanol versus gasoline prices and the potential foreign market of 39 billion liters. Study ABIQUIM (2007), BNDES Sector 2009 suggests the possibility of capacity shortage of ethylene and propylene in 2020. Today the country produces 70% of its consumption of naphtha (naphtha production accounts for only 8% of products produced in the country). With global demand for ethylene in 2005 was 105 million tons (CMAI, 2005 apud HORTA NOGUEIRA, 2008), with a penetration of only 10% of ethanol to substitute other inputs, has a market of 23 billion liters of ethanol, which can be a challenge for the brazilian production.

La thèse traite de l’évaluation de la capacité d’innovation des petites et moyennes entreprises, quand elles intègrent l’innovation dans leur volonté de croissance. L’objectif est de comprendre les facteurs pouvant expliquer le lien positif entre l’innovation et la performance pour les PME. Ce lien complexe repose sur une multitude de facteurs, relatifs à la production et la valorisation de l’innovation. Nous avons focalisé notre attention sur l’analyse du management de l’innovation au travers de l’évaluation de la capacité d’innovation des PME.Il s’agit de comprendre en quoi le management de l’innovation, au travers de l’évaluation, peut favoriser la performance d’innovation en PME et, par conséquent, la performance des PME. Pour traiter ces questions, nous explorons, théoriquement et empiriquement, les facteurs constitutifs de la capacité d’innovation des PME, permettant d’expliquer la performance d’innovation des PME. L’exploration tient compte du champ de la PME, conformément aux recommandations liées à la contextualisation de l’innovation. L’influence du champ PME sur l’analyse de la capacité d’innovation et son évaluation est étudiée.Les résultats de la thèse apportent plusieurs éléments nouveaux de connaissance. Nous proposons, d’abord, une définition conceptuelle et opérationnelle de la capacité d’innovation des PME. Elle est construite autour de dimension statique et dynamique de la capacité d’innovation des PME. Cette définition améliore la compréhension des mécanismes facilitant la production et la valorisation de l’innovation au sein des PME.Les résultats éclairent, ensuite, le lien direct existant entre plusieurs dimensions de la capacité d’innovation des PME et la performance d’innovation des PME. Nous participons au débat sur l’intérêt du management de l’innovation pour les PME. Nous montrons que l’évaluation de l’activité d’innovation peut être réalisée autour de plusieurs dimensions de la capacité d’innovation. Ces dimensions de la capacité d’innovation ont un impact, positif ou négatif, sur la performance d’innovation des PME. L’impact est directement lié à la capacité des PME à gérer et mobiliser efficacement ces dimensions de la capacité d’innovation en fonction de son contexte propre. Il est, aussi, lié à la capacité de la PME à assurer le dynamisme de sa capacité d’innovation. Le dynamisme est assuré face aux évolutions de la PME elle-même et de son environnement pour assurer le maintien de la capacité d’innovation de la PME. Le management de l’innovation et l’évaluation de la capacité d’innovation des PME sont, donc, bénéfiques pour les PME. Ils permettent aux PME d’optimiser leur processus d’innovation et d’assurer leur évolution. Nous prolongeons, ainsi, les travaux sur le management de l’innovation et sur le management de l’innovation en PME.La thèse propose, enfin, une analyse du champ PME, de son influence sur la capacité d’innovation et de son évaluation. Nous concluons sur l’effet des spécificités des PME sur l’activité d’innovation, sur la construction de la capacité d’innovation et son évaluation. L’effet des spécificités des PME influence les dimensions de la capacité d’innovation et la performance d’innovation. Cependant, l’analyse de l’effet positif ou négatif des spécificités des PME sur l’innovation doit être nuancée. Les spécificités des PME et leur influence sur la capacité d’innovation dépendent du contexte particulier de l’entreprise et de son activité d’innovation. Le cas Alpha mobilisé illustre ce résultat. Des facteurs déterminants sa capacité d’innovation se sont transformés en véritables freins à l’innovation. Par conséquent, l’approche par la contingence est recommandée pour l’analyse de l’innovation en PME. Nous retenons particulièrement l’effet de la croissance de la PME et, donc, de son évolution propre, pour analyser et évaluer la capacité d’innovation de la PME. / The thesis deals with the assessment of SMEs innovation capacity, when they integrate innovation in their desire for growth. The objective is to understand the factors that can explain the positive link between SMEs innovation and performance. This complex relationship is based on multiple factors relating to the production and valorization of innovation. We focused our attention on innovation management SMEs innovation capacity assessmen.The aim is to understand how innovation management, through evaluation, can foster SMEs innovation performance and, consequently, SMEs performance. To address these issues, we explore, both theoretically and empirically, the factors that make up the SMEs innovation capacity to explain SMEs innovation performance. Exploration takes into account SMEs spécificities, in line with literature. We focus ont the influence of SMEs specificities on innovation capacity and its assessment.The thesis results rovide several new elements of knowledge. First, we propose a conceptual and operational definition of SMEs innovation capacity. It is built around the static and dynamic dimension of the innovation capacity. This definition improves the understanding of mechanisms facilitating the production and valorization of innovation within SMEs.The results then higlights the link between certain SMS innovation capacity dimensions and SMEs innovation performance. We participate to the debate discussing the interest of innovation management for SMEs. We show that the innovation activity can be carried out around several dimensions of innovation capacity. These dimensions of innovation capacity have a positive or negative impact,on SMEs innovation performance. The impact is directly related to the ability of SMEs to effectively manage and mobilize these dimensions of innovation capacity according to their own context. It is also linked to the SME's capacity to ensure the dynamism of its innovation capacity. The dynamism is assured regarding the evolutions of the SME itself and its environment to ensure the maintenance of SMEs innovation capacity. The management of innovation and the evaluation of the innovation capacity of SMEs are, therefore, beneficial for SMEs. They enable SMEs to optimize their innovation process and ensure their evolution. We extend the work on innovation management and innovation management in SMEs.The thesis proposes, finally, an analysis of SMEs specificities. SMEs specificities have an influence on innovation capcity and innovation performance. However, the analysis of the positive or negative effect of SMEs specificities on innovation needs to be nuanced. SMEs specificities and their influence on innovation capacity depend on the particular context of the company. The unique case mobilized illustrates this result. Therefore, the contingency approach is recommended for the analysis of innovation in SMEs.

The purpose of this study is to explore and elaborate how firms are managing aesthetic with color and design choice as open innovation practice and explore its applicability in various sectors.  Two research questions are addressed: How is aesthetics with color and design choices managed by firms using open innovation practices? Can aesthetics with color and design choices be managed as open innovation practices for all kinds of technical designed products?   The study is based on a case study combined with survey method which constitutes a combination of quantitative and qualitative research for conducting productive research. In order to analyze and explain the case study as open innovation practice for designed technical products, the 4P model of innovation, open innovation model, product design process, digital prototyping and virtual customer environment are used. The survey was used for analyzing the question on generalization for all other designed technical products.   The study shows that some mobile firms are using “theme creator”, software for themes that is used for inside aesthetics of designed technical products with customer collaboration and participation. Sony Ericsson is one firm that is establishing activities for outlook aesthetics and inside aesthetics with color and design choice for its designed technical product (mobile). These activities are interpreted as open innovation practices conducted in virtual customer environment by Sony Ericsson. The survey result shows the customer’s willingness for participation and customer’s demand for the change in color and design of designed technical products by their own choice. When combining the case study and survey results it is concluded that color and design choice is required to improve aesthetics for designed technical products.

Abstract There have been lots of M&A, alliance and restructuring activities occurred in the chemical industry all over the world since 2001. In order to operate the business successfully, the best way is through innovation instead of taking restructuring, cost down and/or M&A strategy only. Usually, chemical material should be well mixed or prepared to get unique properties for application. R&D and innovation are the good solutions. Under such circumstances, in order to win the game and even to survive, the chemical firms need to make changes of their products to be more value-added and keep their sustaining competitive advantages . This study has surveyed the questionnaires which were answered from the high value-added chemical firms, government, educational and research institutes. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was adopted for analysis. Our findings are: 1. The ratings of the importance in the second level of AHP are: ¡]1¡^The members participating in the innovation ¡]2¡^Organization system ¡]3¡^Protection of innovation ¡]4¡^Environment of the firm 2. The top five important factors in the third level of AHP are: ¡]1¡^Opinions from the industry---communication ability of the R&D director, firm secrecy protection mechanism, CTO can make the consequences of decisions for R&D innovation activities to take, relationship between firms and customers, participation of the R&D director in corporate strategy formulation ¡]2¡^Opinions from the government, educational and research institutes--- organizational culture of supporting venture and tolerating mistakes in the innovation process, CTO can make the consequences of decisions for R&D innovation activities to take, communication ability of the R&D director, firm secrecy protection mechanism, participation of the R&D director in corporate strategy formulation ¡]3¡^Opinions from the industry, government, educational and research institutes--- communication ability of the R&D director, firm secrecy protection mechanism, CTO can make the consequences of decisions for R&D innovation activities to take, participation of the R&D director in corporate strategy formulation ,organizational culture of supporting venture and tolerating mistakes

Innovations in the public services have become mandatory to provide more efficient and secured services to the citizens. In today&#039 / s fast changing technological environment, the sustained management of innovation is the most vital executive task for the organizations. Identification of the technological innovation process is required in order to manage innovation in the public organizations. This thesis study aims to build a technological innovation model for public organizations in Turkey identifying technological innovation process, stakeholders of the process, sources of innovation, obstacles of innovation and driving forces of innovation. In this research study, strategically important organizations, including all ministries and the pioneer public organizations that perform technological innovation projects are analyzed. In the research study, case study is used as a research strategy and interviews are used as data collection methods. Using collected data / data sets are produced and presented in tables. Data analysis results enable to identify technological innovation process, stakeholders of the process, sources of innovation, barriers of innovation, and driving forces of innovation. Consequently, in accordance with the findings of the study, a new technological innovation model that may pave the way for technological innovation projects and enable successful management of innovation process is constructed. The proposed model lights the way of managers for their innovation projects by means of determining unclear innovation process and identifying the inputs and outputs of the process. Moreover, this study is a guide for managers in public organizations identifying possible obstacles and offering solutions, identifying driving forces to accelerate the innovation process, emphasizing the importance of interaction between the stakeholders.

This research proposes that design and visual thinking in combination with narrative theory contribute to enhance knowledge of innovation processes and support managers in their work. In particular, the focus is on the use of Storyboarding to support a better definition of a project’s brief. Innovation studies have shown that the initial phases of innovation processes (typically called the “front end of innovation”) are crucial for success. A proper definition of a brief, that occurs at the front of the front end, is therefore one of the most relevant events in innovation. This study investigates the early phases of innovation by developing and evaluating a new method for developing a brief. First, an explorative approach has been used in order to develop knowledge of challenges in the front end of innovation and how design thinking, visual thinking and narratives can bring new insights in teamwork. In this explorative search the use of case studies has been employed. Then, the explorative search has focused onthe use of Storyboarding as a tool for reflection, and in particular for igniting dynamics of framing and reframing of innovation problems. Finally, in order to create a deeper knowledge in the use of storyboarding three hypotheses has been evaluated, four experiments has been conducted with the involvement of more than 60 people defining innovation briefs. In these experiments, storyboarding (visual and narrative) has been used to support “thinking” that leads to the brief. In other words, storyboarding has been seen as a process to enable innovation teams to think differently or more precisely, rather than just a tool to represent or to communicate the brief. The experiments show that using storyboarding has effects that can support innovation management. First, storyboarding is useful if management wants to “stimulate” a reflection on meaning when developing a brief, i.e. when they want an innovation team to consider both utilitarian and emotional/symbolic factors in an innovation process. Second, Storyboarding brings a narrower focus, compared to traditional written briefs, within the “area of interest” brought up by management, which sometimes may be asked for when the organization is in search for reframing the direction of innovation. / Denna avhandling föreslår att design och visuellt tänkande i kombination med narrativ teori kan bidra till en bättre förståelse och ledning av innovationsprocesser. Framför allt med fokus på användningen av storyboarding för att stödja en bättre definition av ett projekts uppdragsbeskrivning, eller som det kallas en ”brief”. Tidigare innovationsforskning har visat att de inledande faserna av innovationsprocesser (vanligen kallad “the front end of innovation”) är av avgörande betydelse för att innovationer skall nå framgång. En ordentligt utformad ”brief”, formulerad tidigt, i de inledande faserna av innovationsprocessen är således en av de mest relevanta händelserna för framgångsrikt innovationsarbete. Denna forskning bidrar till kunskap i de tidiga faserna av innovationsprocessen genom att utveckla och utvärdera en ny metod för att utveckla en ”brief”, storyboarding. Först så har en explorativ metodik använts för att skapa förståelse för de tidiga faserna av innovation och hur metoder och teorier från design, visuellt tänkande och narrativ kan ge nya insikter i teamarbete. I denna explorativa del så har fallstudier använts som forskningsstrategi. Därefter så har mitt sökande efter förståelse fokuserats på användningen av storyboarding som ett verktyg för reflektion, och i synnerhet att formulera och omformulera inramningen av möjligheter för innovation. Slutligen, för att skapa en djupare förståelse av storyboarding, så har tre hypoteser utvärderats med hjälp av ett antal experiment med mer än 60 personers deltagande där team utvecklar en ”brief”. I dessa experiment så har Storyboarding använts för att stödja teamens “tänkande” för att utveckla en ”brief”. Med andra ord så har Storyboarding setts som en process för att möjliggöra för team att tänka annorlunda eller mer exakt, snarare än bara ett verktyg för att representera eller för att kommunicera en ”brief”. Experimenten visar att användningen av Storyboarding har ett antal effekter som kan stödja ledning av innovation. För det första kan vi se att Storyboarding kan vara användbart om man vill “stimulera” reflektion kopplat till innebörd (meaning) när man utvecklar en ”brief”, dvs. när man vill att ett team ska överväga både funktionella så väl som känslomässiga/symboliska faktorer i en innovationsprocess. För det andra så skapar storyboarding en ”smalare” definition, jämfört med traditionella skriftliga ”briefs”, inom det av ledningen valda fokusområde. Detta kan vara önskvärt när ledningen söker efter nya möjligheter för innovation.

The innovation laboratories support and foster the systematic development of innovations by bringing the people, environment and the methodological expertise together. Such type of structures play a major role in leveraging the existing methods and tools in the field of service innovation on one hand, and adapting the new methodological approaches to the field on the other hand. Thus, we argue that they can act as intermediaries in adapting the concept of round trip engineering to the field of service innovation. In this context, to develop the deeper understanding of the phenomenon, the innovation laboratories were thoroughly investigated through in-depth expert interviews. The interviews were intended to develop deep understanding of the structural and functional aspects of innovation laboratories in order to identify the current practices and potential of innovation labs in applying the systematic approaches to different phases of innovation life cycle. They were also aimed to identify the methodological and technological support that the innovation labs might need.