International Journal of Innovation Management

In this paper, we argue that ambiguity is an essential component of "fuzziness" in the Fuzzy Front End of New Product Development (NPD), and that a better understanding of how ambiguity emerges and is reduced, is called for. We explore the process by which ambiguity was reduced in four NPD projects, and propose a model that enhances our understanding of this process. Ambiguity arises as multiple interpretations, and interpretations can be understood as hypotheses, hence these can be tested by using the hypothetical-deductive method (HDM). We present a model showing that ambiguity in NPD projects is efficiently reduced by applying the HDM to test the multiple interpretations that give rise to ambiguity and the assumptions underlying these interpretations. We discuss theoretical implications and the usefulness of the model for practitioners of NPD.

Technological innovation is used by many companies as a means of sustaining their competitive advantage. The environments in which this innovation occurs is usually uncertain, therefore, many companies perform technological forecasting in association with their technological innovation processes. While many researchers have studied the innovation process and many more forecasting methods, there is little research connecting the two within the strategic context of the firm. To do this, a model of the forecasting process is needed. The purpose of this paper is to present a model based on a literature review. Previous models which formed the basis for the proposed model will be discussed followed by an explanation of the model and conclusion. Finally, a case study is presented to observe and test the proposed model.

This paper disseminates the findings from a study into the factors impacting technological innovation adoption and diffusion specific to the deployment of electronic-commerce strategies within professional service sector SMEs in Ireland. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed and seven factors relating to a firm's external/internal environment were found to underpin adoption. These are: electronic-commerce capability; willingness to change/rate of response to new technologies; technological opportunity recognition; customer orientation; sensitivity to competitive/customer environments; perceptions of technology feasibility; and e-skills development mechanisms. t-tests revealed differences between adopters and non-adopters, and forward stepwise logistic regression is used to assess the extent to which these seven factors actually predict electronic-commerce adoption. It was found that electronic-commerce capability and the willingness to change/rate of response to new technologies are the two most important factors affecting adoption behaviours.

Management literature prescribes innovation as a stimulus for sustained competitive advantage in companies; however, the nature of the development in this field has resulted in the literature being broad and fragmented. This paper focuses on the body of literature concerned with the factors which influence innovation management in organisations. The aim of this research is to present a holistic view of the factors that affect innovation management. Using a systematic literature review approach, using over 100 papers, this research identifies nine key factors that impact on an organisation's ability to manage innovation. These nine factors have been identified as management style and leadership, resources, organisational structure, corporate strategy, technology, knowledge management, employees and innovation process. This paper then discusses the inductively derived model that presents the important relationships identified between the factors to present a holistic view of innovation management. From this, we open up the debate on innovation management as a systemic approach rather than being focused on the singular factors. We can therefore conclude that a number of dominant relationships exist between the factors with the innovation process being the only endogenous factor within the model.

Using a survey data of UK firms that engaged in downsizing, this paper explores the link between downsizing and innovation determinants. We suggest that the relationship between downsizing and innovation determinants is contingent upon the speed of implementing the downsizing and the severity of downsizing. Overall, the results confirm our general proposition and shed new light on the relationship between downsizing and innovation enhancers, and barriers to innovation.

This research focuses on exploring which factors influence organisational creativity the most, and what actions are the most effective to enhance organisational creativity of design companies and departments in Taiwan. The survey showed that the most influential five factors to organisational creativity were in the order of design environment, team climate, group/organisation culture, design process and motive of work. The survey also showed that the most effective ways of improving organisational creativity were in the order of effective knowledge/experience sharing among colleagues, cultivating the designers' world view, accumulations of team design experiences, visiting domestic and foreign design exhibitions and diversified design work experiences. After the data from the questionnaire were further analysed by t-test, one-way ANOVA and Scheffé post hoc multiple comparisons, the study also showed that the most effective ways of improving organisational creativity were in the significant difference between the design company and design department. Furthermore, in terms of demographic variables of gender, employees' education, professional training, age and working experiences, the study result also implied that the most effective ways of improving organisational creativity could be different under different situations. With follow-up interview, we also found that due to the differences of business conditions, interviewees also had different perspectives referring to the definitions of good ideas. It drew various degrees of attentions when valuating creativity and improving it in the organisation. Thus, in order to get an effective creative performance, while facing different layout strategies and environments, administrators must adjust these measures to fit into their own need according to the conditions or restrictions of the organisations.