Measuring Innovation: Perspectives from Engineering Education and Clean Energy

Measuring innovation is key to realizing innovation in practice. One of the primary reasons why measurement is important stems from the fundamental principle that what is measured is, in turn, what garners attention and action. Systematic measurement of innovation can enable researchers and practitioners to propose and undertake strategic interventions that enable effective action and use of resources. However, a large proportion of innovation measures developed in literature are catered towards researchers, economists and analyst who are removed from the innovation process. These measures do not address the needs of the practitioners and actors who are actively involved in innovative activities. Therefore, the foundational question that this dissertation seeks to answer is: How can innovation be measured in a way that bridges the study of the innovation process with its practice? To answer this research question, I weave together three studies where I produced contributions to diverse domains. I leverage the robustness of the technological innovation system (TIS) framework to ground my research. The first study looked at industry sponsored engineering design capstones as a "laboratory" for small-scale innovation. Through this study the first framework of measurement emerged, one that categorized measures of innovation as evaluative and actor-centric. The second study took a broader approach to investigate perceptions of innovation measures across diverse actors in an innovation system. This study resulted in the second measurement framework that placed measures on an availability-influence framework that balanced the availability of different measures with their decision-making influence. The final study validated this framework by applying it to assess the long duration energy storage (LDES) innovation system. The study not only yielded strategic interventions that could enhance LDES innovation, but also validated the process of using the frameworks that emerged in previous studies to assess innovation systems. Together, these three studies yielded two novel frameworks that are born out of studying innovation and the practices of innovation in diverse, interdisciplinary settings. This dissertation provides an expansive, cross-disciplinary view of how measures that evaluate the process of innovation can be combined with measures that encompass the diverse practices of innovation. Through this work, I argue that combining the study of the system of innovation with the practice of innovation can help bridge the gap between both realms and can ultimately enhance both. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]