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Agility as an innovation driver: towards an agile front end of innovation framework

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Brand

    (Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg)

  • Victor Tiberius

    (University of Potsdam)

  • Peter M. Bican

    (Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg)

  • Alexander Brem

    (Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg)

Abstract

The innovation of products, services, and business models is key to firm survival, performance, and growth in today’s turbulent business environments. However, accelerating environmental dynamics also require speeding up the innovation process. A suitable solution may be the use of agility, especially at the front end of innovation. In this study, we aim to identify agility enablers in this first stage of the innovation process. We follow a two-step procedure. First, we review existing agility frameworks and find that several agility enablers are already discussed, but no holistic framework exists yet. Second, we conduct qualitative expert interviews to obtain a better understanding of additional enablers and enabler attributes. By comparing the theoretical and managerial sources, we find gaps in each side’s attention. As a result, we introduce a novel, agile front end of innovation framework that helps firms pay attention to agility enablers that can speed up the innovation process.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Brand & Victor Tiberius & Peter M. Bican & Alexander Brem, 2021. "Agility as an innovation driver: towards an agile front end of innovation framework," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 157-187, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:15:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11846-019-00373-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11846-019-00373-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Margarida Rodrigues & Rui Silva & Mário Franco, 2021. "Teaching and Researching in the Context of COVID-19: An Empirical Study in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Troise, Ciro & Corvello, Vincenzo & Ghobadian, Abby & O'Regan, Nicholas, 2022. "How can SMEs successfully navigate VUCA environment: The role of agility in the digital transformation era," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    3. Ibrahim Rashed AlTaweel & Sulieman Ibraheem Al-Hawary, 2021. "The Mediating Role of Innovation Capability on the Relationship between Strategic Agility and Organizational Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-14, July.
    4. Mercedes Rubio-Andrés & Mª Ramos-González & Miguel Ángel Sastre-Castillo, 2022. "Driving innovation management to create shared value and sustainable growth," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 16(7), pages 2181-2211, October.
    5. Tiberius, Victor & Stiller, Laura & Dabić, Marina, 2021. "Sustainability beyond economic prosperity: Social microfoundations of dynamic capabilities in family businesses," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    6. Margarida Rodrigues & Mário Franco & Nuno Sousa & Rui Silva, 2021. "COVID 19 and the Business Management Crisis: An Empirical Study in SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-20, May.
    7. Zbysław Dobrowolski, 2021. "Internet of Things and Other E-Solutions in Supply Chain Management May Generate Threats in the Energy Sector—The Quest for Preventive Measures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-11, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agile innovation process; Agility framework; Front end of innovation; Innovation driver; Innovation framework;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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