Innovation

Today, innovations are perceived as the crucial factor for economic growth and employment. Companies investing heavily into research and development for technologically innovative products seem to have a competitive edge. This finding is empirically proved. However, further promising innovation strategies do exist. Based on a survey of 1450 companies of the manufacturing sector this article shows that also companies focussing on intelligent product service combinations or innovative techno-organisational processes outperform their competitors as regards employment growth.

A wide definition of weak spots does not only allow analysing the possibilities for technical or technological improvements and innovations, but it is the basis for innovations in the companies’ organization. If a weak spot exists due to disrespect of the normative organizational structure, the management has to enforce the acceptance of the given structure. If there is a weak spot due to any mistake in the organizational structure itself, the analysis of weak spots in the organizational system provides a basis for process optimizations.

The theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) supports the innovation management process as a whole. It enriches the finding of new ideas, generating and evaluating alternatives as well as the transformation of ideas. TRIZ provides a comprehensive set of tools to support the various steps inside an effective innovation management. Contradiction thinking is one key finding of TRIZ. Contradictions may occur in a one- or two parametric form and represent the core aspects of a problem. TRIZ-tools help to resolve these contradictions. A comparison of the tools (i) inventive principles and (ii) separation principles, demonstrate the imposing use in the innovation management.

An effective technology control system is helpful for preserving potentials of flexibility. The product technology portfolio is a suitable technique for reviewing effective and efficient applications of technologies. The results are basis for decisions in technology management of firms.