Models to manage the expanded innovation value chain

Abstract

The project aims to discuss and enhance knowledge on the innovation value chain organization and management. It means not only the product development (which is a link within the chain), but a more complete process from idea generation to its diffusion, that takes place inside the limits of a firm as well as across different organizations (suppliers, customers, universities, research centers etc), given innovation practices such as open innovation, co-design etc. A parametrized model to organize and manage the innovation value chain will be proposed. Investigation starts from the discussion on the conceptual and practical limitations of some well-known innovation models (such as development funnel, stage-gate model etc) and from the concept of innovation value chain as proposed by Hansen and Birkinshaw (2007), in order to elaborate propositions which leads to an advance on the matter of innovation organization and management. From bibliographical review and preliminary field investigations, it will be proposed a set of variables (or contingencies) which a priori would distinguish projects among themselves - e.g. development time, degree of knowledge formalization, whether or not innovation opens or follow a technological and/or a market path, among others. Such variables will serve as foundations to field research, which will be conducted as case studies in different companies in order to validate variables and to categorize innovation projects cases. It will also be researched organizational forms, decision making and management tools along the innovation chain, in order to verify the relationship between these aspects and the project contingencies once validated. (AU)