Innovation Management Program – Our Research
Innovation Management in the Present for the Future
Our research focuses on advancing innovation management practices and the roles of innovation management professionals - to drive sustainable growth and transformation. With a blend of theoretical and practical approaches, our work aims to equip organizations and individuals with the tools and insights needed to navigate complex challenges and foster innovation effectively
Research Focus and Objectives
Innovation is crucial for maintaining relevance, survival, and success. However, many organizations, public sector entities, and mission-driven initiatives find it challenging to effectively integrate innovation management as a discipline into their operations.
Our research addresses this gap by exploring frameworks, methods, and tools that support organizations, contexts, and partnerships in their intent to create value and drive innovation. The aim is to understand how these forms of support enhance these entities' innovation capabilities
Additionally, we explore the roles of innovation management professionals, including focusing on how to prepare, support, and train them for the future, as well as studying the impacts of their professionalization.
Key Insights and Findings
Our research has uncovered several key insights that are reshaping how organizations and innovation management professionals approach innovation:
- Innovation Management Systems
The importance of innovation management with a systems approach, along with critical factors in designing innovation management systems.
- Barriers and Enablers in Innovation Work
Identification of common barriers and enablers within organizations and contexts that hinder or support the organizational innovation work.
- Innovation Management Professionals
Motivations for individuals to certify as Innovation Management Professionals, and the experienced effects from acquiring such certification.
Methodology
We primarily employ qualitative research method of various kinds. This includes interviews, observations, and researcher-practitioner co-creation inspired by design methodology.
Impact and Applications
The impact of our research extends beyond academia into real-world applications:
- Strategic Innovation
Helping companies integrate strategic innovation management into their core operations.
- Organizational Culture
Transforming organizational culture to be more open and adaptable to innovation.
- Policy Influence
Contributing to the development of innovation policies that support sustainable growth.
Collaborations and Partners
We collaborate with both national and international partners from industry, the public sector, NGOs, universities, and research institutions.
Researchers and Publications
Research Leader: PhD Ingrid Kihlander
Ingrid is a Senior Researcher specializing in innovation management at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. With several years of experience in the field, she combines academic rigor with hands-on industry knowledge to explore new frontiers in innovation.
Ingrid is also an Adjunct Professor in Innovation Management, at the Swedish Defence University and a Research Fellow at IMIT Institute for Management of Innovation and Technology, Sweden
Publications
Examples of publications on innovation management are:
- Full article: Critical Factors to Consider When Designing an Innovation Management System (tandfonline.com)
- Changing the Dynamics and Impact of Innovation Management | Series on Technology Management (worldscientific.com)
- Certification of Innovation Management Professionals: Reasons for and Results from Acquiring Certification | Journal of Innovation Management (up.pt)
- Explore more of Ingrid’s Kihlanders publications
Get Involved
Interested in learning more or collaborating on future research? Reach out to Ingrid to discuss opportunities for partnership or access to upcoming research findings.