Breakthrough innovations are vital for the global economy and even our survival as a species. They appear as creative leaps and insights without obvious connection to existing knowledge and are extremely valuable to organisations, giving them significant competitive advantage. Historiometric and psychopathological evidence shows that breakthrough innovations are often associated with individuals and affective dysfunction; yet innovation today is widely held to be an organisational phenomenon operationalised though a model of creativity based on positive affective experiences and group activities which may be particularly unsuited to innovative thinkers. Research upon which the current paradigm for creativity and innovation are based is detached from real world outcomes and has been challenged as to its validity. Little data exists outside of experiments or indirect observation of naturally occurring affective experiences and the mood-creativity-innovation link has yet to be proven; we still know very little about how breakthrough innovations occur. This unique study addresses this significant gap in innovation research with a two-year longitudinal case study of a breakthrough innovation being developed for a multi-national Fast-Moving Consumer Goods company. It followed the journey of a lone innovator and attempts to answer the research question: “Can a fear of failure lead to breakthrough innovation?” The innovation space was investigated from three perspectives: technology, organisation and innovator, to build a picture of the highly immersive and emotionally charged experience of innovating. Many new insights were gained, and with extensive support from literature, new tools for the management of technology and the interface between innovators and organisations were developed, along with ground-breaking research into the mood-creativity innovation link. These are delivered through a series of four journal papers. The key finding from this research has been the discovery of the innovation-wave, a phenomenon which for the first time provides evidence for the mood-creativity-innovation link; intimately connecting real-world creative efficacy with emotion and specifically a ‘fear of failure’. From this finding a new theory and psycho-cognitive model for a distinct form of creativity called innovative thinking, driven by negative affect (mood) and specifically suited to achieving a breakthrough innovation through overcoming apparently insoluble problems, was posited and a hypothesis proposed and tested using a sophisticated innovation simulation developed especially for this purpose. Evidence from the case study and later experiment provide support for the research question and the lone innovator. This study makes a unique contribution to our understanding of creativity and innovation which could have a significant impact on how both are researched, taught and managed in the future. Being able to understand and possibly manipulate the innovation-wave, if proven correct, could be vitally important for maximising the potential for creating breakthrough innovations to the benefit of us all.

Die Schriftenreihe Betriebliche Umweltökonomie und Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement bietet ein interdisziplinäres Forum für Forschung über aktuelle Themen im Bereich der trans-, interdisziplinären sowie systemisch und integrativ ausgerichteten Nachhaltigkeitsforschung. In der Schriftenreihe werden innovative wissenschaftliche Aufsätze und konzeptionelle Beiträge zur Stärkung der inter- und transdisziplinären Nachhaltigkeitsforschung publiziert. Mit der Veröffentlichung von Studien-, Seminar- und Forschungsergebnissen trägt die Technische Universität Chemnitz essentiell dazu bei, den Wissenstransfer zwischen Forschungseinrichtungen sowie zwischen Praxis und Wissenschaft zu fördern. Das Themenspektrum der Schriftenreihe ist breit gefächert und zielt auf Forschungsarbeiten und Praxiserfahrungen aus ökonomischer und interdisziplinärer Sicht. In der Schriftenreihe werden Beiträge sowohl in deutscher als auch in englischer Sprache veröffentlicht. Begutachtung: Zur Sicherstellung der wissenschaftlichen Qualität, wird jeder Beitrag durch ein bis zwei Fachexpert/innen begutachtet. Die Begutachtung orientiert sich dabei an den folgende Kriterien: - wissenschaftliche Innovativität und Originalität des Beitrags - Relevanz für Nachhaltigkeitsforschung und -praxis - klare Fragestellung und Argumentationslinien - inhaltliche, theoretische und methodische Fundierung / The scientific series of corporate environmental economics and sustainability management offers an interdisciplinary forum for research on current topics in the area of trans-, interdisciplinary and systemic and integrative sustainability research. Innovative scientific essays and conceptual contributions strengthening interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary sustainability research are published in the series. With the publication of study, seminar and research results, the Technical University of Chemnitz contributes significantly to the transfer of knowledge between research facilities and between practice and science. The series comprises a broad thematic spectrum and aims at research and practical experience from an economic and interdisciplinary perspective. Contributions are possible in German and English. Review: Ensuring scientific quality each contribution is assessed by one or two scientific experts. The review process is based on the following criteria: - scientific innovation and originality of the contribution - relevance to sustainability research and practice - clear questions and lines of argument - profound content, theory and methodology

This thesis focuses on defining concepts of creativity and innovation in business context. It analyzes methods which may lead to enhancement of creativity in order to increase value of business for customer as well as to develop the business itself. This work also includes real application of selected methods on management of cafe Dobra zastavka in Brno, Czech Republic.

Innovative 3D spacer fabrics made from individual planes and connecting layers present great potential as complexly shaped textile preforms in lightweight composite applications. As one of the most flexible textile manufacturing methods, flat knitting enables the production of intricately shaped textile structures. The major advantages coupled with flat knitting techniques include the ability to produce multi-layer reinforcements, a diminishing waste, reducing production time and near-net shaping. This research includes the further development of flat knitting technology and the manufacturing processes of innovative, customized 3D spacer fabrics for high performance composite applications. Novel 3D spacer fabrics have been developed in different geometries using glass-polypropylene commingled hybrid yarns for complex shaped thermoplastic composite components. Reinforcement yarns have been integrated into spacer fabric structures with up to 4 reinforcement layers to improve mechanical performance. Furthermore, the successful addition of “sensor networks” created by integrating functional yarns into the 3D spacer fabrics could be used for structural health monitoring. Innovative integration concepts, which accommodate different positioning of the reinforcement yarns into the knit structures, can be used to adjust the mechanical properties of the finished knit composites. Moreover, the tensile properties have been accurately predicted based on the mathematical models formulated. The developed flat knitted 3D spacer fabrics are very promising for applications in lightweight composites, mechanical engineering, protective textiles, civil engineering and architectural designs. / Innovative 3D-Spacer Fabrics bestehend aus individuellen Deckflächen und Verbindungsstegen bieten ein großes Potential als komplex geformte textile Halbzeuge für Leichtbauverbundwerkstoffanwendungen. Mit Hilfe des Flachstrickens, welches einer der flexibelsten textilen Herstellungsprozesse ist, lassen sich komplex geformte textile Strukturen herstellen. Belastungsgerechte Verstärkungen, Abfallreduzierung, endkonturnahe Fertigung sind nur einige der großen Vorteile der modernen Flachstricktechnik. Die Forschungsarbeit beinhaltet die Entwicklung der Flachstricktechnologie und des Herstellungsprozesses für innovative 3D-Spacer Fabrics für Hochleistungsverbundwerkstoffe. Neuartige 3D-Spacer Fabrics wurden in unterschiedlichen Geometrien entwickelt, in dem Glas-/ Polypropylen Commingling-Hybridgarn für komplex geformte thermoplastische Verbundwerkstoffkomponenten eingesetzt wird. Verstärkungsfäden wurden für hochmechanische Belastungen in die Spacer-Fabric-Strukturen in bis zu 4 Verstärkungschichten integriert. Die erfolgreiche Umsetzung und Entwicklung von Sensornetzwerken durch die Integration von funktionalen Fäden in die 3D-Spacer Fabrics kann für die strukturelle Zustandsüberwachung genutzt werden. Die innovativen Integrationskonzepte erlauben die differenzierte Orientierung von Verstärkungsfäden in den Gestrickstrukturen, wodurch eine starke Beeinflussung der mechanischen Eigenschaften der Gestrickverbundwerkstoffe herbeigeführt wird. Darüber hinaus wurden die Zugeigenschaften basierend auf den entwickelten mathematischen Modellen vorhergesagt. Die entwickelten flachgestrickten 3D-Spacer Fabrics sind sehr vielversprechend beispielweise für die Anwendung in Leichtbauverbundwerkstoffen, im Maschinenbau, in Schutztextilien, im Bauingenieurwesen und Architekturdesign.

Our paper presents some preliminary observation from a collaborative exploratory study linking mathematics, science and reading within a technology enhanced problem-based learning scenario conducted at one French Canadian Elementary and Middle School. Presented in a form of dialogue between teacher and researcher, our findings give some meaningful insight in how an innovative mathematics teaching can be developed and implemented using a real-world problem solving. Instead of a traditional presentation of material about lighting up homes, participating mathematics, science and French teachers were working collaboratively with the ICT integration mentor and two university professors helping students investigate a problem from various perspectives using a variety of cognitive and metacognitive strategies, discussing and sharing the finding with peers and presenting them to a larger audience using media tools. Our preliminary results may prompt further investigation of how innovation in teaching and learning can help students become better critical thinkers and scientifically empowered citizens.

No description available.

В условиях существенного сокращения финансирования образования возникает задача сохранения потенциала преподавательского корпуса вузов. Автор, рассматривая профессиональную деятельность преподавателей российских вузов, выявляет инновационный потенциал как личностную готовность представителей преподавательской общности к потенциальной возможности использования внутренних ресурсов. В работе полноценно представлена визуализация структуры инновационного потенциала преподавателей вузов. / In case of a substantial reduction of funding for education arises the problem of maintaining the capacity of the academic staff. The author considers the professional activity of the academic staff and identifies innovative potential as personal readiness of the academic community to the potential use of internal resources. Innovative potential of the academic staff is visualized through its structure.

Цель инновационной системы – привнесение новшеств, которые позволят выпускать новую продукцию, более совершенную с точки зрения потребительских качеств. В связи с этим, существенную значимость приобретает оценка целесообразности внедрения инновационных материалов. В рамках исследования, была проведена оценка существующих методик оценки экономической эффективности внедрения инновационных материалов. Также был предложен и апробирован алгоритм принятия решения оценки целесообразности внедрения в производство инновационных материалов. Практическая значимость работы основывается на методическом обеспечении процесса оценки целесообразности внедрения инновационных материалов в производство. / The goal of the innovative system is to introduce innovations which will make possible to release new products better in terms of their consumer qualities. In this regard, the evaluation of the possibility of introducing innovative materials becomes highly significant. In the study, the evaluation was carried out of existing method for assessing the economic efficiency of introducing innovative materials. The decision-making algorithm for evaluation of the possibility of introducing innovative materials into production was proposed and tested. The practical importance of the work is based on the methodological support of the process of evaluation the possibility of introducing innovative materials into production.

Mergers and acquisitions have been demonstrated to create synergies, but not in all cases. Current research reveals that where synergies exist, these seem to accrue to the shareholders of the selling companies. Given the limitations of our qualitative research design, we find that it is important to quantify synergy before the acquisition, preferably by applying certain best practices. In an attempt to enhance understanding of the phenomenon, we find that several types of synergy exist and that their origins include efficiencies, such as economies of scale and economies in innovative activity. We further find that the bid price is an important indicator of success and that its maximum should not exceed the intrinsic value of the target, plus the value of synergies between the bidder and target. We further find that best practices exist in quantifying cost and revenue synergies and describe these separately per origin. / Management Accounting / M.Com. (Accounting)

台灣地區生活型態與人口結構的急遽變遷、老年人口快速增長、疾病型態改變、國民所得提高、醫療支出持續增加以及政府民間對預防醫學的重視，「預防醫學」之風氣逐漸形成，也帶動台灣健檢產業像雨後春筍般蓬勃發展。 　　本研究透過個案研究的方式，使用Betz（1987）的創新類型及Gobeli & Brown（1993）的創新過程兩種不同的創新理論，對7家專業健檢中心及2家醫院附設健檢中心，進行現況分析，分類並歸納出各個案的創新特性及差異，提出可能產生的問題因應策略。 　　研究發現，不同本質健檢機構的創新靈活度就會有很大的差距； 在開創階段重視形象塑立、業務開發，及硬體投資多於強調本業－「健康服務」，.在「商品開發力」方面朝分「主題式商品」、「檢驗設備」、「擴展市場」及「異業服務」四類，以主題式商品居多，其次為強化檢驗設備，健檢市場發展成熟，為因應醫療環境的改變，更擅於利用「應變元素」避險佈局。 　　根據研究結果，建議健檢中心仍應先著重於預防醫學專業及檢驗技術，定義能契合顧客價值的創新性產品，執行一套內隱的系統制度，其創新的核心靈魂是回歸到「健康」、對生命的尊重，提供顧客永難忘懷的服務，才是撼動人心的競爭優勢。 / During the past decades, the change of life style and growing of aging population in Taiwan have leaded to a great alteration of disease patterns. As the Gross Domestic Product increased in this country, the global medical expenditure increased year by year. Due to the widely accepted concept of “prevention is better than cure”, the importance of health examination is becoming more and more significant. Thus, the number of health examination institutions in Taiwan is growing rapidly. In this research, cases studies using two innovation theories including “Types of Innovation” (Betz, 1987) and “Innovation Process” (Gobeli and Brown, 1993) were implemented. Current situations of seven health screening clinics and the health screening center of two hospitals in Taipei metropolitan area were analyzed, re-classified, and compared to identify the distinct innovation characteristics in different health examination institutions. The problems that might happen in these institutions were disclosed and their resolutions were tried to found. This study discovered that there is a great difference in innovation flexibility between health examination institutions of different nature. In the initial stage of these institutions, most of them focused on image-shaping, business development and hardware investment rather than on the fundamental medical services itself (i.e. health examination). There were four ways used to strengthen product development: theme product, investment on instrument facilities, market expansion and strategic alliance. Among them, theme product was the most popular and investment on instrument facilities, the second popular method used. As health examination market was well grown, these institutions were skilled in using there reality-confronting ability to face the competitive healthcare market. According to our results, we suggest the health examination institutions still need to focus on their basic competence: preventive medicine, and health care technology. In addition, they should be able to develop a tacit system to define innovative products that match customers’ value. The core of innovation in this industry should begin from “health”. By having respect to human life and creating the health and empathy business model, health examination institutions can provide the value co-created with customers and thus, maintain competition advantage.