STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF INNOVATION: MANAGING EXPLORATION-EXPLOITATION BY BALANCING CREATIVITY AND CONSTRAINT

Alf Steinar Sætre () and Eric Brun ()
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Alf Steinar Sætre: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, Alfred Getzv. 1, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Eric Brun: Department of Business Administration, University of Stavanger, N-4036 Stavanger, Norway

International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), 2012, vol. 09, issue 04, 1-24

Abstract: This paper offers a model for effectively managing ambiguity at the fuzzy front end of innovation projects. We conducted in-depth studies of four new product development projects from the medical device industry. Through the abductive process of iterative grounded theory we built a model of the management of ambiguity. The model we propose shows that innovation teams that have a higher tolerance for ambiguity are better able to exploit it. The successful management of ambiguity in innovation projects rests upon the balancing of opposing needs.

Keywords: Managing ambiguity; exploration and exploitation; balancing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1142/S0219877012500253

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