The article, published in the journal Creativity and Innovation Management, deals with that peoples and companies’ innovation capability is dependent on their social network. In earlier [...]]]> Jens Hemphälä and Mats Magnusson, researchers at KTH, have for their article Networks for Innovation – But What Networks and What Innovation? won the CIM Best Paper Award 2012.

The article, published in the journal Creativity and Innovation Management, deals with that peoples and companies’ innovation capability is dependent on their social network. In earlier research two contradictory hypotheses has been proposed to explain the mechanism behind this connection. This article explains that both hypotheses are valid, however dependent on the type of innovation – radical or incremental. Previous research results have been divided due to that different studies have used different measures of innovation.

More information can be found through the journal Creativity and Innovation Management’s webpage.

The award will be handed over at the CINet conference in Nijmegen in September 2013.

Congratulations to Jens and Mats!

In your application you [...]]]> We are glad to offer you an opportunity to enhance your journal writing through participating in PIEp JWJ 2013. The JWJ is open to both PhD students and senior researchers.
In order to strengthen the focus and output of this process we have decided to limit the number of participants.

In your application you must include a draft publication you want to work with during the JWJ.
The draft publication should be a draft journal paper, a conference paper, or at least an abstract exceeding 500 words.
Please, also ensure that you can participate in all scheduled meetings and activities in PIEp JWJ 2013.

Important dates:
• Application deadline 22/3
• Confirmation of participation 28/3
• Meeting 1 19/4 @KTH
• Meeting 2 27/5 @KTH
• Meeting 3 28/8 @KTH
The meetings at KTH will be held as full-day-workshops.

The JWJ is free of charge but the participants cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Send your application including your draft publication to Ingrid Kihlander March 22 the latest.
Also contact Ingrid for any questions regarding the PIEp JWJ 2013.

Welcome!

Mats Magnusson
Professor in Product Innovation Engineering at KTH
and PIEp Research Director

During the past year MSF has been working on a project that aims to enhance an innovative and creative environment within the structure of the NGO. This approach [...]]]> PIEp has been working with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to organise a Lab Jam, which was followed by a fruitful discussion with a number of interesting participants

During the past year MSF has been working on a project that aims to enhance an innovative and creative environment within the structure of the NGO. This approach will help solve problems that might occur on all levels in the organisation as well as in fieldwork. To strengthen and deepen their knowledge within the field of innovative solutions, MSF contacted PIEp in order to initiate a collaborative partnership.

PIEp put together a material in which an analytical investigation, concerning difficulties that might arise in communication between technical support and MSF fieldwork, was carried out. Using this material as a starting point, the problem that has been the basis of the workshop was formulated. The purpose of the Lab Jam was to bring people together with diverse perspectives and qualifications in order to further an understanding of problems concerning a more effective communication within the organisation.

The participants were divided in to two teams consisting of people with competence from companies and organisations such as Ericsson Response, Avalon Innovation and Transformator Design. The teamwork was lead by students from Umeå Institute of Design who implemented a design methodology. The methodology in itself consists of different levels or spheres in which the problem is carefully defined and contextualised before investigating how and what within the core issue that needs to be rectified or adjusted. People from MSF Denmark, Sweden and Belgium were also part of the teams. Expert knowledge was extracted from a third group whose purpose was to circulate the teams in order to enhance knowledge and contribute to a deeper understanding of the problems at hand.

By the end of the workshop the teams each presented with a probable solution in the way of helping the situation. One of the suggestions was a technical aid aimed at immediate problem solving while the other focused on an approach that would be implemented within the organisation in order to build trust between individuals and unites.

Marpe Tanaka, in charge of the MSF Innovation Project, states that the original approach to creative problem solving provided by PIEp will be helpful in developing the innovative process in MSF.
In using the design methodology focus is diverted from immediate solutions in favour of a thorough investigation of the problem formulation in itself. This creates a deeper understanding of the process and the diverse aspects of any problem. The team of experts is crucial in questioning the teams and in challenging them to constantly evaluate and re-formulate the problems. This provides a solid ground for solving a problem instead of coming to a rushed conclusion resulting in a lacking solution. The diversity of the participants not only enhances the number of viewpoints but also is crucial in creating a basis for new collaborations and platforms.

The concluding discussion opened up to participants from a range of organisations and relevant industry and emanated in an interesting and important discussion regarding collaborations between academia, NGOs and commercial or non-commercial industry. Bertil Gruve from CTMH (Center for Technology in Medicine and Health) initiated the debate. He pin pointed the need of learning from the Stanford method in which you linger with the formulations of a problem and keep in constant search of that which you do not yet know. Bearing this in mind, the methodological insight this type of workshop provides is crucial in finding innovative solutions and enhancing creative work environments.

PIEp Research School and Proviking Research School has together organized a PhD course in International Product development with focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. The course included visits at Lindholmen science park, Kista science city and a two-week study trip to Silicon valley and other parts of highly entrepreneurial California!

In the second part of February, [...]]]>

PIEp Research School and Proviking Research School has together organized a PhD course in International Product development with focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. The course included visits at Lindholmen science park, Kista science city and a two-week study trip to Silicon valley and other parts of highly entrepreneurial California!

In the second part of February, eleven PhD students and two senior researchers from five different universities in Sweden set off to learn more about what makes California such a melting pot for start-ups and development of technology, software and services. During this trip the group visited Universities like Stanford and Berkeley, as well as companies, such as Xerox PARC, Ericsson and  Jet Propulsion Laboratory (part of NASA’s deep space program). The students of this course have chosen to study different aspects of innovation and a report will be completed later this spring. To submit interest of a hardcopy, please contact jenniebj@kth.se

Some reflections from the trip:

“In my opinion, one thing that really stood out from Silicon Valley was the lack of stigma connected to failure; it is actually ok to fail! An illustrative example comes from PARC where the company can conceive seeding employee start-ups with an investment, and also welcomes the entrepreneurs back if the venture did not turn out as expected.” – Anna Karlsson, PhD student, Sandvik/Luleå Technical university

“I remember visiting Willow garage and their vision of how to push the robotics development by means of a very open approach. When visiting companies you often have to sign an NDA – non disclosure agreement. But at Willow Garage we had to sign a Disclosure Agreement, meaning we had to tell people about what we had seen there. I love that idea!”  - Katarina Lund, PhD student Scania/KTH

The book is a result from a 3 year research project, Innoplant, [...]]]> In the work book COLLABORATIVE HEALTHCARE INNOVATON, you will find a range of inspiring exercises, examples, insights and practical tips aimed to stimulate dialogue, reflection and learning about how your organization can improve its collaboration with other stakeholders in the healthcare innovation system.

The book is a result from a 3 year research project, Innoplant, where a mix of representatives from the private, public, and academic sectors in a series of network meetings formed a unique platform, or playground, for learning and sharing of experiences in order to meet the great challenges facing the health care sector.

Download it for free InnoPlant_Workbook.pdf

You can read the whole thesis here, The Enabling_Service_of_the_Industrial_Design_Consultancy.pdf

Design has received increased attention not least of all in the business press and journals and [...]]]> In december PhD Candidate Magnus Eneberg presented his licentiate thesis ”The Enabling Service of the Industrial Design Consultancy: A change of focus from goods to service dominant logic.

You can read the whole thesis here, The Enabling_Service_of_the_Industrial_Design_Consultancy.pdf

Design has received increased attention not least of all in the business press and journals and it is argued to be a powerful force for innovation. The concept of design thinking – how to approach problems in a designerly way – has shifted attention away from the artifact to the activity and hence the competencies and knowledge of the designer. At the same time the contribution of designers, besides as the creators of aesthetic products, is mainly restricted to companies who have experience from working with industrial designers.

In his licentiate thesis Magnus Eneberg argue that the industrial design consultancies offers both relieving and enabling service and should be viewed from the perspective of service- rather than goods dominant logic. Further on he discuses changes in the logics behind the business of industrial design in terms of how it is organized, the competencies of the industrial designer and the perceived role of the IDCs in client firms.