Middle managers operate in an environment close to activities of their firm and in interaction with this environment identify opportunities, challenges, and subsequently generate innovation alternatives. While doing so they - among other - utilize also weak ties within their social network, which permeate internal and external environment of the firm and enable entry of new and divergent information in the innovation process. Middle managers communicate selected information to senior management levels, and the communication exchange between the middle and top management facilitates compliance with the firms innovation strategy, ensures resources as well as high level support for the implementation of innovation; middle managements information inputs at the same time influence senior management in defining the firms innovation strategy. In contact with ordinary employees (and lower levels of management), middle management compensates for differences between strategy and current activities of the firm, promotes innovation and overcomes resistance. To ensure support for innovation within the organization, middle managers draw, inter alia, on their internal networks of strong ties, including their informal components. Middle management acts as a communication bridge, which helps to balance the tensions originating from the differences between environments of the senior management and employees. From this perspective, the communication interfaces between the different levels of management, or the companys hierarchy, seem to play a critical role; my research at the same time indicates there are significant differences in perception between middle and senior management of intracompany processes enabling innovation.

This Master's Thesis is focused on technological foresight in the banking industry in Europe. It includes consecutive two parts. The first one is theoretical and focuses on defining the terms necessary for the development of technological foresight, stated criteria, triggers and terms necessary for the development of analysis of potential technological problems and their solutions. The second part is practical and it includes the technological foresight, analysis of trends that will disrupt banking and introduce a vision of personal banking product of the future. A comparison of product vision to current trends and if those can be considered disruptive follow this part. The last part of the thesis includes diffusion criteria of innovation as according to the Rogers's Model, a set of triggers after which the defined investment fund can consider an investment into technology, and an analysis of potential technological issues with proposed solutions.

The ability of an organization to innovate, creates one of the most sufficient standards to keep the competitive position and ensure further growth. There exists a well-founded assumption that small and middle sized companies do not pay enough attention to innovation management. The thesis investigates a process called an innovation audit - it is a tool used for evaluation of innovation management and its current state in a company called Memsource a.s. The goal of the thesis is by using innovation audit to identify strengths and weaknesses of all spheres that affect innovations and also suggest efficient improvements in all areas related to innovative management in Memsource a.s. The results of a process of the innovation audit provides us with a whole scheme of a truthful and profound situation concerning innovation management of the company. The suggestions were made in order to enhance innovation efficiency of the company.

The trade-off between innovation and access is a critical problem in pharmaceutical innovation policy. Without adequate intellectual property protection, knowledge is insufficiently appropriable and the output of innovation is sub-optimal. Patents and sui generis forms of intellectual property are policies utilized by the state to foster innovation, creating temporary monopolies for firms to reward their investments in research and development. This paper explores the topic of pharmaceutical innovation policy by discovering the key legal developments that influence the creation of internationally protected and harmonized minimum standards of IP rights. Equipped with a theoretical understanding of IP as a social contract and knowledge about incentives that the law provides, the status quo system of rewarding pharmaceutical innovation is observed though an analysis of the market for new chemical entities, developing an understanding of the relationship between incentives for innovation and market outcomes. Utilizing an extensive analysis of literature, promising policy options are explored for realigning incentives to better optimize the incremental benefits of pharmaceutical innovation while improving access, including public funding of clinical trials, incorporating value-for-money stipulations into reimbursement and marketing approval decisions, and creating prize-based rewards that delink the market for innovations from the market for pharmaceutical products.

Orientadores: Sérgio Luiz Monteiro Salles-Filho, José Luiz Pereira Brittes / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T08:39:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pfitzner_MarianaSavedra_D.pdf: 3862118 bytes, checksum: 9a91b33404d084ed4ec0400408836816 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Esta tese analisa os Sistemas Setoriais de Inovação (SSIs) de energia e mineração brasileiros, comparando-os com os de outros três países (Canadá, Alemanha e Austrália) e mostra evidências de que os SSIs e seu respectivo modelo de gestão da inovação co-evoluem e são coerentes em seus níveis de desenvolvimento. Os SSIs são pautados pelas relações mercadológicas e não-mercadológicas entre seus atores, isto é, empresas, governos e Instituições de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICTs). A avaliação dos SSIs de energia e mineração aqui proposta está fundamentada em três eixos, que representam o macroambiente (externo à empresa), assim como no conjunto de estruturas (fatores determinantes), processos e ferramentas de gestão da inovação, pertencentes ao microambiente empresarial. Quanto ao macroambiente, o Eixo 1 constitui-se da dinâmica produtiva e de C,T&I do Brasil e demais países, derivada da análise das cadeias produtivas e da construção de indicadores setoriais de esforço e desempenho, os quais ajudam a caracterizar a densidade dos SSIs brasileiros vis-à-vis o Canadá, a Alemanha e a Austrália. O Eixo 2 descreve os grupos de atores comuns a todos os países e avalia seu protagonismo, presença, influência e dependência nos respectivos SSIs. O Eixo 3 analisa marcos e diplomas legais favoráveis à difusão da inovação. Por seu turno, a caracterização do microambiente empresarial é feita por intermédio de multiple case studies e de indicadores de esforço e desempenho em seis empresas brasileiras (Vale, Samarco, Cemig, CPFL, Furnas e Eletronorte). Na condução dos estudos de caso mapearam-se estratégias, processos de gestão da inovação, ferramentas, governança e aspectos da cultura empresarial que são comuns às empresas. Tem-se que a gestão da inovação nas organizações pesquisadas co-evolui com o macroambiente dos SSIs ¿ os quais não têm densidade ¿ e está adstrita ao desenvolvimento desses / Abstract: This PhD analyses the Brazilian Sectoral Systems of Innovation (SSIs) for energy and mining by comparing them with other countries (Canada, Germany and Australia) and it also shows evidences that the model of innovation management in organizations co-evolve coherently with the requirements of the SSI. The SSIs are based on market and non-market relations, including companies, government and Science and Technology Institutions (STIs). The proposed evaluation of the SSIs for energy and mining is based on three axes that represent the macroenvironment (outside companies¿ boarders) and a group of structures as well as innovation management processes and tools, which belong to the microenvironment. Regarding the macroenvironment, the first axis is formed by the productive and ST&I (Science, Technology and Innovation) dynamics particularly on the productive chains and performance indicators. This axis characterize Brazilian¿s SSIs density vis-à-vis the Canadian, German and Australian ones. The second Axis describes common groups of actors for the selected countries and evaluates their role, presence, influence and dependence regarding their SSIs. The third axis analyses the legal aspects that foster innovation diffusion. The characterization of the organizational microenvironment is carried by multiple case studies and indicators that measure effort and performance in six Brazilian companies (Vale, Samarco, Cemig, CPFL, Furnas and Eletronote). While analysing the case studies, the strategies, processes of innovation management, governance and aspects of the organizational culture that are common to the companies have been raised. Therefore, innovation management in organizations co-evolves with the macroenvironment of the Brazilian SSIs ¿ which do not have density ¿ and its development is attached to them / Doutorado / Politica Cientifica e Tecnologica / Doutora em Política Científica e Tecnológica

This thesis is about How External Uncertainties Affect the Innovation Process. Written during the spring term of 2020 by Simon Algotsson and Johan Öhlander. The thesis main goal is to generate knowledge about the properties and sources of external uncertainties and create an understanding of how they can come to affect an innovation process. This research encourages organizations that are planning to participate, or currently resides in an innovation process to give it a read. Anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the impact of external uncertainties may use our findings as a source of inspiration. The research question we have answered is: How do external uncertainties affect the innovation process? As the title and research question shows, innovation and uncertainties are the two most common denominators in this work. Presented in the theoretical framework is previous research done concerning the innovation process, and what it consists of. As well as how other researchers describe different types of uncertainties. We have also constructed our own model of how external uncertainties can give rise to internal uncertainties. For this type of research, a qualitative method has been selected, since it enabled us to go in-depth in one specific innovation process. We have conducted two interviews with the CEO and CFO of a company referred to as Gamma. They have both shared their own perspectives of the innovation process their company has gone through. The data collected from the interview has been transcribed separately and is later presented in the empirical evidence. The final sections of this thesis include the analysis and the conclusion. In these chapters we draw parallels between the research presented in the theoretical framework and Gamma's innovation process. The process we have investigated for this thesis encountered several uncertainties, both internal and external. In the analysis we present the authors own model of how external uncertainties came to affect Gamma's innovation process. The conclusion discusses the significant findings of the research such as how Gamma's innovation turned into a 'black hole' for the profits generated by the company.

This study investigates the impact of consumer sophistication on emerging market firms’ ability to innovate. Three constructs, namely, innovation capabilities, sources of information and strategies, were identified as critical factors in the innovation process. By leveraging off these factors emerging market firms may gain sustainable competitive advantages in a highly competitive environment. The context of the study was South African based software development firms competing in more developed markets (wealthier), less developed markets (poorer) and domestic markets only (middle income). Data collection took place via telephonic survey. It was found that the size of the firm as measured by the number of employees is related to the consumer sophistication. Firms in less developed markets tend to be significantly larger than firms in more developed markets and the domestic market. Suppliers and clients as sources of information that impact the firms’ innovation development were found to be statistically significant. Firms in the more developed markets made considerable use of international clients for innovation ideas whereas firms in the domestic market leveraged ideas off local suppliers. The firms’ resource strategy was found to be significantly different across the three groups. Domestic market firms considered themselves ahead of the industry compared to less developed markets who considered themselves average with regard to having the latest equipment. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Abstract Background: Innovation is a key factor in the development of new businesses as well as in the sustainable success of existing organisations. Especially for family businesses, innovation is the main strategic instrument to ensure economic growth, prosperity, and transgenerational survival. However, many organisations are unable to achieve success by themselves; thus, collaborative innovation becomes increasingly important. While collaborative innovation with start-ups is highly promising for corporations, it remains unclear how feasible the decision for this approach is for family firms due to their distinct attributes. Purpose: This thesis aims to research how particular family business attributes influence the decision for collaborative innovation with start-ups. Thereby we contribute to existing academic literature and provide valuable insights for family firms to further increase their innovation potential. Method: To fulfil the purpose of this exploratory research study, secondary data, in the scope of a literature review as well as additional valuable sources and primary data, in the form of qualitative interviews, are gathered. The in-depth interviews allow us to collect responses on sensitive information on firm insights, while triangulation with secondary data enables us to generate a deep understanding of different perspectives significant to this study. In total, ten semi-structured interviews from six family businesses are conducted. Later, Grounded Theory is used for analysing the data. Conclusion: The results show that two of the examined attributes, namely risk aversion and unwillingness to collaborate with external partners, have a negative influence on the decision for collaborative innovation with start-ups. The other two attributes, long-term orientation and unwillingness to invest in innovation purposes both demonstrate ambivalent findings. Thus, their influence cannot be clearly evidenced in this study.

Ökad konkurrens på marknaden har inneburit ökade krav på organisationer att generera mer innovativa idéer. Då ökad innovationsgrad hos idéerna står i relation till ökat risktagandet innebär detta att organisationer tvingas hantera högre risk. En av konsekvenserna av detta är att det kan skapas ett internt motstånd inom organisationer mot idéer av högre innovationsgrad, något som denna studie syftar till att undersöka hur detta kan motarbetas. Ämnet kring hur motstånd mot innovation kan motarbetas har legat till grunden för flera tidigare studier. Det främsta forskningsområdet har varit att granska organisationsledningens hantering med fokus på innovationsstrategi och organisationskultur. Denna studie fokuseras dock på en mer lokal nivå kring hur en innovationsavdelning ska arbeta för att minska motståndet mot nya idéer. Fokus för studien ligger i hur en innovationsavdelning kan arbeta med involvering i innovationsprojekt och kommunikation med berörda parter för att minska motståndet. Ett område som enligt författarnas tolkning är relativt outforskat inom forskningsområdet innovation. Studien genomfördes som en induktiv fallstudie inom en svensk organisation inom dagligvaruhandeln. Under studien har totalt 16 intervjuer genomförts inom fallstudieorganisationen. Samtliga respondenterna är i någon grad delaktiga i innovationsarbetet och kan delas in i fyra roller där de antingen är beställare av projekt till innovationsavdelningen, mottagare av resultatet från innovationsprojekt, mellan chefer som arbetar nära innovationsavdelningen eller personer som arbetar inom innovationsavdelningen. Vidare har studien kompletterats med fyra intervjuer inom andra organisationer med innovationsavdelningar för att undersöka generaliserbarheten i resultatet. Resultatet tyder på att involvering och kommunikation under innovationsprojekt ska anpassas efter de berörda individerna samt projektets karaktär. Slutsatsen som har dragits är att en dynamisk hantering av involvering av roller samt anpassad kommunikation kring projektstruktur och projektmål skapar ett bredare engagemang inom organisationerna, vilket tros ha en positiv inverkan på att minska motståndet inom organisationer. / Increased competition in the market has resulted in increased demands on organizations to generate more innovative ideas. Since it is shown that the level of innovation correlate with the amount of risk-taking, this means that organizations are forced to handle higher risks. One of the consequences is that this can lead to an internal resistance within organizations against ideas of a higher degree of innovation and this study aims to investigate how this can be counteracted. How organizations should face this ascending resistance has formed the foundation of several earlier studies. The primary research on the subject has been to review management's handling of the organization with a focus on innovation strategy and organization culture. The focus of thisstudy is instead towards a more local level of the problem, how an innovation department can work with involvement in innovation projects and communication with involved people to reduce the resistance. An area, according to the authors' interpretation, that is relatively unexplored in the science of innovation. The study was performed as an inductive case study at a Swedish organization in the FMCG sector. During the study a total of 16 interviews were conducted at the case study- organization. All of the respondents are at some level involved in the innovation work and can be divided into four different roles where they either; order projects from the innovation department; receive the results from the innovation department; are middle managers who work closely with the innovation department; or are people working in the innovation department. Furthermore, the study has been complemented by four interviews at other companies with assigned innovation departments in order to investigate the generalizability of the results. The results indicate that involvement and communication during an innovation project should be dependent on the involved individual and the characteristics of the project. The conclusion that can been drawn from the study is that a dynamic management of the involvement of individual and a customized communication regarding the project structure and project goals creates a wider involvement within companies, which is believed to have a positive impact on decreasing the resistance within companies.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the most prominent barriers to public sector innovation, but also display what an innovation hub can do to help bypass such barriers.Design/methodology/approachThis is an embedded case study with a deductive approach investigating innovation barriers in the public sector after a model of 8 different barriers which are all examined through a theoretical thematic analysis.FindingsLimited resources, poor leadership as well as limiting laws and regulations were revealed to be the greatest barriers to public sector innovation. A lack of incentives and rewards and resistant users and suppliers were deemed not to hinder innovation especially. Innovation hubs can help bypass these barriers by bringing in external resources as money and substitutes, but also by offering public sector employees a platform to meet between organizational units, thereby allowing them to circumvent risk-avoiding cultures and ill-fitting structures to innovation that tend to exist in the public sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to innovational projects of one hub, situated in a relatively small town in Sweden. The results might not be fully transferable to other countries or contexts.Practical implicationsThe results of the study could give an indication to public sectors what use an innovation hub can have in bypassing barriers to innovation.Originality/valueFew studies have addressed the role of innovation hubs in the public sector, especially in combination with innovation barriers.