Title: Measurement of the quality and maturity of the innovation process: methodology and case of a medium sized Finnish company

Authors: Pekka Berg, Jussi Pihlajamaa, Juha Nummi, Mikko Leinonen, Virpi Leivo

Addresses: Innovation Management Institute, BIT Research Centre, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 5500, FIN-02015 HUT, Finland. ' Innovation Management Institute, BIT Research Centre, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 5500, FIN-02015 HUT, Finland. ' Innovation Management Institute, BIT Research Centre, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 5500, FIN-02015 HUT, Finland. ' Institute of Structural Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 600, FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland. ' Institute of Structural Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 600, FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland

Abstract: Continuous improvement of the effectiveness of R&D requires an adequate and comprehensive assessment and measurement system. The present method, quality and maturity method (QMM), for assessing the quality and maturity of R&D, examines R&D from six viewpoints: R&D as part of business strategy, R&D as part of product and technology strategy, strategic implementation of R&D, R&D as a business section, R&D outputs, and implementation of R&D projects. Procedures for each of the six viewpoints are assessed and scored by five maturity levels. The verifying of the preliminary QMM method in four pilot companies has shown that the viewpoints used in the assessment describe factors pertaining to the quality and maturity of R&D quite well, and indicate central development needs.

Keywords: strategy; innovation; maturity; assessment; research and development; R&D; quality maturity method; QMM; continuous improvement; performance measurement; Finland.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2004.005481

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2004 Vol.4 No.4, pp.373 - 382

Published online: 12 Oct 2004 *

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