Innovation factory and innovation atelier business design for ‘routinized innovation’

Abstract

The importance of 'routinized innovation' as a major driver of economic growth, the need for 'ambidextrous organizations' in an uncertain and disruptive business environment, and the importance of contingency for organizations have been widely discussed in management literature. From a business design perspective, practitioners are facing a three-fold challenge to design Innovation structures which meet the requirements of 'designing for routinized Innovation', 'designing for ambidexterity', and 'designing for contingency'. The authors aim at addressing this challenge by introducing the complementary concepts of 'Innovation Factory' and 'Innovation Atelier'. The argument is discussed conceptually and supported by a case study.