Title: Cognition of experts and top managers about the changes in innovation space

Authors: Jukka-Pekka Bergman, Ari Jantunen, Juha-Matti Saksa, Pia Hurmelinna-Laukkanen

Addresses: Technology Business Research Center, Lappeenranta University of Technology, PO Box 20, FIN-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland. ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, PO Box 20, FIN-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland. ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, PO Box 20, FIN-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland. ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, PO Box 20, FIN-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: The innovation space has become more complex and knowledge-intensive. As a result, it is increasingly important to see innovations as knowledge that is embodied in learning and technical and organisational knowledge bases. However, in processes such as innovation development, individuals make sense of it and utilise existing knowledge differently when making decisions about which design of new technology to adopt and develop. This paper highlights the importance of a certain group|s cognition in the recognition of new innovations and business opportunities, and presents a method to explore the cognition of different groups. In this study based on a 2-year research project, two different working groups assessed the future innovation and business opportunities in the field of distributed energy generation. Through analysing the results and by presenting the potential method – the heuristic scenario method – to explore cognition in innovation processes, this paper helps to fill the lack of methodologies in cognition research.

Keywords: group cognition; distributed energy generation; innovation space; heuristic scenario; top management; business opportunities; cognition research; power generation; technology experts; business managers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2007.014894

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2007 Vol.2 No.1, pp.34 - 50

Published online: 16 Aug 2007 *

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