Title: Towards a framework for innovations

Authors: Pradeep Waychal, R.P. Mohanty, Ajit Verma, Abhishek Chatterjee

Addresses: Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, Mumbai, India. ' ITM Group of Institutions, B.S.E.L. Tech Park, 704-712, Sector 30 A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai 400 705, India. ' Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, Mumbai, India. ' Patni Computer Systems, 55 SDF II SEEPZ, Andheri, Mumbai, India

Abstract: In this paper an innovation framework – an organic system consisting of different stages of innovation process, a repository of innovations and requirements from individuals and ecosystem – has been formulated. The innovation process has multiple interrelated, mutually supportive stages that cover distinct aspects of innovation and, they are creative thinking, idea screening, idea development and value delivery. The paper delves deeper into the value delivery stage and has proposed a focal structure governed by Deming/Shewhart PDCA cycle and is illustrated by using real life data collected from a variety of organisations. Affinity diagram is used as a primary technique to provide levers and anti levers for a given type of innovation in the structure. Artificial neural network technique has been used to prove correctness of the framework. The framework has the potential to analyse the outcomes of innovations and to synthesise levers and anti levers for facilitating the execution of innovations of different types.

Keywords: affinity diagrams; artificial neural networks; ANN; plan do check act; quality management; PDCA cycles; engineering innovations; innovation frameworks; organic systems; innovation processes; individual requirements; ecosystems; multiple stages; interrelated stages; mutually supportive stages; creative thinking; idea screening; idea development; ideas; value delivery; focal structures; William Deming; Walter Shewhart; anti levers; synthesised levers; business excellence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2011.042155

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2011 Vol.4 No.5, pp.493 - 518

Published online: 27 Sep 2014 *

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