Dynamics of innovative concepts in exploratory projects: managing consistency between originality, collaboration and strategy

Sophie Hooge (1) , Milena Klasing Chen (2) , Dominique Laousse (2, 1)

1 CGS i3 - Centre de Gestion Scientifique i3
2 SNCF : Innovation & Recherche

Despite the importance of conceptual formulations for exploratory projects, the variety and evolution of concepts generated in an exploratory project to describe the innovative purpose across the whole innovation process is still misunderstood. In this paper, we propose to address this issue of multiplicity and coherence of concept formulation in exploratory projects at three levels - cognitive, managerial and strategic - in order to describe the dynamics of conceptual works. We rely on a on a longitudinal study (7 years) of the innovation capability management in a large established firm, SNCF, the French railroad company. Our main results are i) to give a typology of seven concept formulations; ii) to show that these are interdependent and part of a structured process of building a "desirable unknown" to impact three dimensions: cognitive generative power, collaborative attractiveness for new organizations experimentation, and strategic positioning renewal of the firm in quickly evolving environments; and iii) to explicit specific conceptual formulation patterns that can improve their performance. We thereby contribute to guide practitioners on building conceptual formulations to reach their innovation goals.

Mots clés: Radical innovation; innovative design; concept; exploratory project; Innovation strategy; C-K theory; KCP workshops; desirable unknown

Domaines: Gestion et management

Sophie Hooge, Milena Klasing Chen, Dominique Laousse. Dynamics of innovative concepts in exploratory projects: managing consistency between originality, collaboration and strategy. R&D Management Conference 2018, "R&Designing Innovation: Transformational Challenges for Organizations and Society", Jun 2018, Milan, Italy. ⟨hal-01900545⟩