Innovation @ Merage - UCI Paul Merage School of Business : Innovation, Strategy/Vision, Consumer Products

How to Plan Innovation

admin — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:33:00 GMT

Abstract: This article articulates the proposition that innovation is about problem solving, understanding how to ask the right questions, and seeing patterns before facts. All these aspects of innovation help companies develop the right product or service for their customers. This article’s main conclusion is that all the employees in a company have the necessary skills to be innovative. The key challenge faced by most of the companies is not to develop new innovative products for the customers but to create an experience for the customers that also preserves the brand equity those companies had built in the past. It is imperative for companies to preserve their brand equity and simultaneously seek out all the innovative opportunities discovered while developing a new product.

Published: Bloomberg Businessweek, March 2011

Authors: Laura Jakobsen

Link: Innovation

Restoring American Competitiveness

admin — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Abstract: This article describes that many high tech products such as fabless chips, LCD for monitors, TVs, handheld devices like mobile phones, power semiconductors for solar panels are no longer produced in United States because the industrial commons required for the manufacturing of these products have been lost through outsourcing for short term cost benefits. The article defines industrial commons as the combined capabilities of the high technology firms and the other companies in the industry such as the suppliers of advanced materials, tools, production equipment, and components.

The article’s main conclusion is that the U.S government and industry should work together to revive the country’s industrial commons and thus restore the ability to manufacture a wide array of high technology products. The article also provides a number of suggestions to the policy makers of the U.S businesses about the role that government can play to rebuild the industrial commons and thus realize continued innovation and sustainable economic growth in United States.

Published: Harvard Business Review, July–August 2009

Authors: Gary P. Pisano and Willy C. Shih

Link: Read Full Article

Innovation Trickles in a New Direction

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:55:00 GMT

Abstract: General Electric, Nokia and other companies are creating entry-level products for emerging nations and then repackaging them for more affluent countries in a process known as trickle-up innovation.

Published: March 9, 2009

Authors: Reena Jana

Link: BusinessWeek

P&G's Innovation Culture

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:22:00 GMT

Abstract: How we built a world-class organic growth engine by investing in people.

Published: Autumn 2008

Authors: A.G. Lafley with Ram Charan

Link: strategy+business

The Unique Advantage

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:02:00 GMT

Abstract: Innovation is difficult for mature, slow-growth businesses and often results in long line extensions rather than high-profit, game-changing innovations. Companies, especially those focused on food and consumer products, need to rethink their innovation strategies to develop products that are unique and hard to copy.

Published: Autum 2008

Authors: Alexander Kandybin and Surbee Grover by Alexander Kandybin and Surbhee Grover

Link: strategy+business

P&G Changes Its Game

admin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:32:00 GMT

Abstract: P&G is using "design thinking" to tackle difficult business problems. While this may seem like the latest innovation buzzword, P&G is using the technique to generate effective ideas and, more importantly, change its culture.

Published: July 28, 2008

Author: Jenanne Rae

Link: BusinessWeek

Surviving Change: Kodak's Instant Marketing Transformation

admin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:36:00 GMT

Abstract: How did Kodak survive the digital transformation of the photography business that used to represent 70% of their business? By focusing on growth and including accountability as part of its innovation framework.

Published: May 14, 2008

Author: Peter Paul Roosen and Tatsuya Nakagawa

Link: IndustryWeek

How They Did It: Seven Intraprenuer Success Stories

admin — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:08:00 GMT

Abstract: "Embarking on a new product or service should be easy with the resources of an established company at your disposal, right? Not necessarily. If you’re launching a start-up within a bigger company, you’ll have a host of issues to overcome ... find out how intrapreneurs at Kodak, Toyota, Yahoo, and other big companies pursued bold ideas that advanced their companies — and themselves"

Published: bnet, April 17, 2008

Author: Georgia Flight

Link: bnet