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Through a qualitative study of two firms' supply networks, we develop a theory of the process by which environmental innovations emerge and proliferate in supply networks. To overcome limitations of current supply network innovation theories, which focus on the diffusion of existing innovations, we employ a complex adaptive systems perspective, which addresses how such innovations come into being in the first place and how they spread in a network over time. Our findings suggest a process model, in which temporally connected processes cross from the organizational to the network level, creating and spreading environmental innovations in supply networks. This model and its corresponding theoretical propositions were generated through an abductive research methodology. Our key insight is that development of environmental innovations in supply networks is an emergent phenomenon. Once in the network realm, the process ceases to be under the control of the dominant buying firm. Instead, self-organization and decentralized coordination prevail. Keywords: environmental innovation; supply networks; complex adaptive systems; emergence; case study; process research; theory development, INTRODUCTION Sustainability has become increasingly important as firms and organizations tackle environmental challenges ranging from water pollution to landfill waste to climate change. To meet their sustainability goals and satisfy [...]

Ritesh Agarwal Founder & CEO, OVO One is founded and run by a twenty-something. The other is founded and led by a thirty-something. One is a five-year-old company which has [...]

It's a common saying that the best camera is the one that's with you. Obviously in the pro photo industry, skill and creativity are vital, but a new camera can [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2008.06.003 Byline: Alexander Brem, Kai-Ingo Voigt Keywords: Idea management; Front end; Innovation management; Technology management; Innovation process; Market pull; Technology push; Software industry Abstract: Within the framework of this paper, an extensive literature overview of technology and innovation management aspects on market pull and technology push will be given. The existing classification of market pull and technology push will be particularly shown and called into question by suggesting a conceptual framework. Additionally, the most common front end innovation models will be introduced. Finally, the authors will introduce how a technology-based service company is managing the connection of these two alternatives. A special focus will be laid on the accordant methods in order to search for current market needs and new related technologies. The selected case study will focus on one of Germany's biggest and most successful software development and information technology service providers. Based on interviews, document analysis, and practical applications, an advanced conceptual framework will be introduced as to how market pull and technology push activities within the corporate technology and innovation management can be integrated. Hence, the purpose of the paper is to introduce a theory-based conceptual framework that can be used in today's corporate environment. In this context, technology managers may use the results as a conceptual mirror, especially regarding the influencing factors of innovation impulses and the use of interdisciplinary teams (with people from inside and outside the company) to accomplish successful corporate technology and innovation management. Author Affiliation: Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Chair of Industrial Management, Lange Gasse 20, 90403 Nuremberg, Germany

Using a combination of exploratory and traditional approaches, we replicate and extend previous research on creativity and memory effects. The first study examines creativity's effect on advertising recall using two nontraditional media: airport terminal and preshow cinema advertising. Results suggest that differences in how consumers interact with nontraditional media influence the effect of advertising creativity on memory. For cinema advertising, where media consumption is similar to traditional media, creativity enhanced recall. For airport advertising, where media consumption often occurs when consumers are in a distracted state, creativity had no effect. The second study continues this investigation of exposure context and extends previous creativity research by investigating the recognition dependent variable in a forced-exposure context. Recognition is measured at four time-delay intervals: no delay and delays of one-week, three-weeks, and five-weeks. Creative advertising was found to enhance recognition, and this positive effect increased over time., Over the past two decades, advertising researchers investigating creativity have been searching for paradigms to guide research (see Sasser and Koslow 2008). To date, the main approach has been information [...]

Greater risk taking was displayed by more creative advertising staff members in this study of UK ad agencies based upon the amount of awards the agency had won.

It is important to develop a plan of action for the innovation process to ensure useful products for customers.

Cyanoacrylates are a unique chemical species that today is having a significant impact on a wide range of consumer and industrial applications, as well as promising to answer the surgeon's dream of a tissue adhesive and hemostatic agent for a wide range of surgical procedures. Its astonishing adhesive properties were discovered in 1951 when a ruined instrument in the research laboratories of the then Tennessee Eastman Company led to a flash of insight followed by inevitable years of innovation. The discovery serves as yet another reminder to be open-minded and curious enough to pursue unexplained results that may unlock new secrets and lead to future exciting discoveries.

Sundance Channel CEO Nora Ryan, Industrial Light & Magic Visual-Effects Producer Kim Bromley and Saturn Launch Team Leader Kathy Shaw have used creativity to improve their businesses. Shaw, who has the duties of a CEO, functions more as an employee guide than a manager.

Woolworth Corporation: A Case of Creativity in Action Introduction The major purpose of this article is best represented by a statement in Lee Bristol, Jr.'s A Source Book for Creative [...]

The UK Post Office launched its 'Harnessing Technology' program in 1996 to promote technological innovation and creative thinking. The initiative tackles the issue of information systems strategy and planning. It also seeks to raise awareness of information technology (IT) and its business applications among Post Office personnel, to promote the Post Office's technology applications to the public, to increase the use of technology for process improvement, and to address Post Office business challenges through improved applications of technology. As part of the program, the Post Office has created the three-million-pounds-sterling Innovation Fund to finance technology projects proposed by managers. The organization's IT focus is being driven by its director of technology, Duncan Hine.

Byline: J. Roland Ortt, Ruud Smits The constant failure rate of new product introductions in the last decades implies that little progress in innovation management can be witnessed. Innovation management is seen as an activity in a multi-level system. The main trends in this system will be described. These trends are inter-related in a complex way and, as a result, the focus in innovation management should be on the combined effect of these trends and on the events that could destabilise the entire system. This article describes four general consequences of the trends in innovation management: 1) the end of the linear model; 2) the rise of the systems approach; 3) the inherent uncertainty and need for learning; 4) innovation becomes more entrepreneurial. These consequences can lead to entirely different approaches to innovation management, two of which will be discussed. The article concludes that significant progress in innovation management has been obtained, but the failure rate has remained the same because of the changing conditions.

Byline: Mariano Nieto, Jose E. Navas The management of technological innovation has become one of the most attractive and promising fields within the management areana. However, for the time being, there is no solid theoretical basis in our academic community for the study of innovation management. This shortage is especially shown by the coexistence of radically different methods of approach and the absence of a precise and commonly accepted terminology. This editorial outlines the development of research on technology management and innovation management and indicates the contribution made by papers in this special issue.

Byline: Karen Lowry Miller Extreme windsurfers in Hawaii might not seem to have much in common with the community of geeks who tinker with Linux software as part of the [...]

HOW DOES WHIRLPOOL COOK UP GREAT IDEAS TO GET BACK ON THE FAST TRACK? BY TURNING PEOPLE LOOSE ON THE CHALLENGE OF INNOVATION, AND THEN TURNING UP THE HEAT ON […]

How does a mother of two with a clownish alter ego go about finding a fun occupation? She creates it! That's what retailer, Rachel Mazza did in establishing Pinkie's Party [...]

The evaluation of movie scripts as an exercise in business creativity is presented.

The morning sock hops, the presence of alligators, the confidential messages circulated office-wide as carrot-grams and the flying dog houses evidence the open and creative work environment at the high tech firm of Odetics Inc. There is also ample evidence that such zaniness is effective. With just 420 employees, the firm produced revenues of $31.5 million in 1985 and had a turnover rate of just 9 percent, 12 percent less than the industry average.