Title: Innovation projects need resilience

Authors: Anders Richtner, Birgitta Sodergren

Addresses: Stockholm School of Economics, Centre for Innovation and Operations Management, P.O. Box 6501, SE-113 83 Stockholm, Sweden. ' Department of Business Studies, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 513, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract: In this paper we examine what enables (or hinders) innovation project to create innovation whilst being part in a system of innovation. By using complexity theory and the notion of resilience, we show that the complexity in innovation projects stems from being knowledge intensive, having multiple stakeholders involved, and that time lags occur during the project. To handle these constant challenges, there is a need of supporting resources that enable projects to be resilient, i.e., able to respond constructively without ||cracking under the pressure||. Our conclusion is that key, and external, actors should strive to create an environment that enables resilience.

Keywords: early stage innovation; innovation systems; complexity theory; resilience; projects.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIP.2008.020097

International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, 2008 Vol.4 No.3, pp.257 - 275

Published online: 26 Aug 2008 *

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