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Can Accidental Discoveries be Managed? Exploring Key Factors Impacting Idea Generation in R&D Sites in Japan

Author

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  • Kosuke Kato

    (Department of Industrial Technology and Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan)

  • Shin Ito

    (Department of Industrial Technology and Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan)

  • Kazuhiko Itaya

    (Graduate School of Management, Kagawa University, Saiwai-cho, Takamatsu 760-8523, Japan)

Abstract

Few reports discuss R&D divisions in manufacturers adapting a management system for promoting serendipity or creativity. We focused on a highly competitive and growing market, in which serendipity is expected to play an important role: the functional food market. We conducted survey analysis of 114 R&D researchers and engineers at 74 companies in the sector using a questionnaire on idea generation. Through factorial analysis, we extracted the novel factors underlying creativity and serendipity, which highly correlated with personal and environmental conditions in R&D worksites.

Suggested Citation

  • Kosuke Kato & Shin Ito & Kazuhiko Itaya, 2019. "Can Accidental Discoveries be Managed? Exploring Key Factors Impacting Idea Generation in R&D Sites in Japan," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(06), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijitmx:v:16:y:2019:i:06:n:s0219877019500421
    DOI: 10.1142/S0219877019500421
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ursula Weisenfeld, 2009. "Serendipity as a Mechanism of Change and its Potential for Explaining Change Processes," management revue. Socio-economic Studies, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 20(2), pages 138-148.
    2. Rajagopal, 2014. "Organizations and Innovation," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Architecting Enterprise, chapter 3, pages 58-86, Palgrave Macmillan.
    3. Cunha, Miguel Pina e & Clegg, Stewart R. & Mendonça, Sandro, 2010. "On serendipity and organizing," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 319-330, October.
    4. Ursula Weisenfeld, 2009. "Serendipity as a Mechanism of Change and its Potential for Explaining Change Processes," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 20(2), pages 138-148.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wareham, Jonathan & Pujol Priego, Laia & Romasanta, Angelo Kenneth & Mathiassen, Thomas Wareham & Nordberg, Markus & Tello, Pablo Garcia, 2022. "Systematizing serendipity for big science infrastructures: The ATTRACT project," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    2. Jethromel M. Meneses, 2023. "A Penetrating Effect: From Becquerel’s Serendipity to A Scientific Knowledge," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(5), pages 1061-1080, May.

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