Innovation management techniques and tools: a review from theory and practice

Abstract

Knowledge is considered to be an economic driver in today's economy. It has become a commodity, a resource that can be packed and transferred. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the scope, trends and major actors (firms, organizations, government, consultants, academia, etc.) in the development and use of methods to manage innovation in a knowledge-driven economy. The paper identifies the main innovation management techniques (IMTs) aiming at the improvement of firm competitiveness by means of knowledge management. It will specifically focus on those IMTs for which knowledge is a relevant part of the innovation process. The research study, based on a survey at the European level, concludes that a knowledge-driven economy affects the innovation process and approach. The traditional idea that innovation is based on research (technology-push theory) and interaction between firms and other actors has been replaced by the current social network theory of innovation, where knowledge plays a crucial role in fostering innovation. Simultaneously, organizations in both public and private sectors have launched initiatives to develop methodologies and tools to support business innovation management. Higher education establishments, business schools and consulting companies are developing innovative and adequate methodologies and tools, while public authorities are designing and setting up education and training schemes aimed at disseminating best practices among all kinds of businesses.

La gestión de la innovación en las empresas vascas. El papel de las herramientas de gestión de la innovación en la eficiencia de la misma y en la de los resultados de innovación.

“…Desde la revisión de toda esta perspectiva de la medición de la gestión de la innovación (Igartua et al, 2008b), y teniendo en cuenta el marco propuesto por Adams (Adams et al, 2006), esta investigación considera que la medición de la gestión de la innovación actualmente debiera de integrar tres grandes perspectivas: la medición desde los ámbitos o áreas de la gestión de la innovación (ya sea en referencia a procesos o precondiciones) (Goffin and Mitchell, 2005, Adams et al, 2006, Tidd et al, 2005; la medición de la capacidad de innovación empresarial (Perdomo-Ortiz et al, 2006); y la medición desde la vertiente del uso de técnicas y herramientas de gestión de la innovación (Hidalgo and Albors, 2008). …”

Technology Outlook as a tool for the management of innovation

“…The literature in this regard is quite misleading. The definitions directly addressing what is meant by IM tools are in fact very similar, if not the same, as those only dealing with general management issues (Phaal et al, 2006;Hidalgo and Albors, 2008). A clear-cut definition of what IM tools constitute proves to be difficult, since tools, techniques, practices, methods, methodologies, systems and procedures are all terms that have been applied in similar contexts (Brady et al, 1997;Mol and Birkinshaw, 2009) 2 .…”

“…An increasing number of scholarly work has been carried out over the years contributing to the development of IM literature (Van de Ven, 1986;Currie, 1999;Libutti, 2000;Kärkkäinen et al, 2001;Tidd, 2001;Hidalgo and Albors, 2008). However, not many studies looking at firms as the main unit of analysis have been undertaken aiming at understanding the causes and benefits of the use of certain tools on firm performance (Mol and Birkinshaw, 2009).…”

How to Foster Innovation? Findings and Hypotheses for Collaborations Between Research and Industry

“…Methods and tools to support the innovation process do usually not act in a deterministic and unique manner. The different characteristics of firms and their circumstances lead to the fact that there is no unique ideal model to foster innovation, although there are some principles of good practice (Hidalgo and Albors, 2008). Furthermore, the knowledge about methods in industry in general is limited.…”

“…Eversheim, 2003;Lindemann, 2009;Osterwalder et al, 2014) also referred as innovation management techniques (e.g. Hidalgo and Albors, 2008). Methods and tools to support the innovation process do usually not act in a deterministic and unique manner.…”