Can Accidental Discoveries be Managed? Exploring Key Factors Impacting Idea Generation in R&D Sites in Japan

Kosuke Kato, Shin Ito () and Kazuhiko Itaya ()
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Kosuke Kato: Department of Industrial Technology and Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Shin Ito: Department of Industrial Technology and Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Kazuhiko Itaya: Graduate School of Management, Kagawa University, Saiwai-cho, Takamatsu 760-8523, Japan

International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), 2019, vol. 16, issue 06, 1-16

Abstract: Few reports discuss R&D divisions in manufacturers adapting a management system for promoting serendipity or creativity. We focused on a highly competitive and growing market, in which serendipity is expected to play an important role: the functional food market. We conducted survey analysis of 114 R&D researchers and engineers at 74 companies in the sector using a questionnaire on idea generation. Through factorial analysis, we extracted the novel factors underlying creativity and serendipity, which highly correlated with personal and environmental conditions in R&D worksites.

Keywords: Serendipity; creativity; R&D management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1142/S0219877019500421

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