This paper explores ideation capabilities in large organizations. Based on the dynamic capabilities framework, it is seen that ideation capabilities are managerial and organizational processes for the stimulation, identification, selection and implementation of ideas. In order to explore how these capabilities are manifested and used in firms, case studies of four Swedish companies have been performed. The results of the study show that there are different approaches to ideation. In terms of the nature of innovative ideas, the observations lead to the suggestion that ideation presents some seemingly paradoxical issues to management. Firms with an explicit focus on building ideation practices experience that there are some negative consequences of the resultant formalization. Furthermore, the extent to which many employees should be involved in ideation is a difficult aspect, even though new technologies make this more viable. Also the degree to which the search for ideas should be directed is a non-trivial question, as the ideation processes can be facilitated by both freedom and limitations. It is nevertheless seen that firms can benefit from more deliberate approaches to ideation, in particular if these are broad and balanced and focus on both building capabilities that formalize the informal, in terms of establishing explicit processes, roles and systems, and building capabilities needed to manage informal structures in new ways.

Ideation Capabilities for Continuous Innovation / Björk, J; Boccardelli, Paolo; Magnusson, M.. - In: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT. - ISSN 0963-1690. - 19:4(2010), pp. 385-396.

Ideation Capabilities for Continuous Innovation

BOCCARDELLI, PAOLO;
2010

Abstract

This paper explores ideation capabilities in large organizations. Based on the dynamic capabilities framework, it is seen that ideation capabilities are managerial and organizational processes for the stimulation, identification, selection and implementation of ideas. In order to explore how these capabilities are manifested and used in firms, case studies of four Swedish companies have been performed. The results of the study show that there are different approaches to ideation. In terms of the nature of innovative ideas, the observations lead to the suggestion that ideation presents some seemingly paradoxical issues to management. Firms with an explicit focus on building ideation practices experience that there are some negative consequences of the resultant formalization. Furthermore, the extent to which many employees should be involved in ideation is a difficult aspect, even though new technologies make this more viable. Also the degree to which the search for ideas should be directed is a non-trivial question, as the ideation processes can be facilitated by both freedom and limitations. It is nevertheless seen that firms can benefit from more deliberate approaches to ideation, in particular if these are broad and balanced and focus on both building capabilities that formalize the informal, in terms of establishing explicit processes, roles and systems, and building capabilities needed to manage informal structures in new ways.
2010
Ideation Capabilities for Continuous Innovation / Björk, J; Boccardelli, Paolo; Magnusson, M.. - In: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT. - ISSN 0963-1690. - 19:4(2010), pp. 385-396.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Bjork_Boccardelli_Magnusson 2010.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: Documento in Post-print
Licenza: DRM (Digital rights management) non definiti
Dimensione 89.77 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
89.77 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11385/4170
Citazioni
  • Scopus 78
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 60
social impact