Achieving innovation and development speed in large structured organizations : an ecological view and case study

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, February 2007.

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hajdukiewicz, John R
Other Authors: Eric von Hippel.
Format: Thesis
Language:eng
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2008
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/42358
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author Hajdukiewicz, John R
author2 Eric von Hippel.
author_facet Eric von Hippel.
Hajdukiewicz, John R
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description Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, February 2007.
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spelling mit-1721.1/423582019-04-11T09:29:53Z Achieving innovation and development speed in large structured organizations : an ecological view and case study Hajdukiewicz, John R Eric von Hippel. System Design and Management Program. System Design and Management Program. System Design and Management Program. Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, February 2007. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-62). Innovation has been long known to be difficult to accomplish in large companies that have well structured processes. Structured processes (such as the use of Six Sigma) can provide significant benefits in terms of efficiency and productivity. However, it can also hinder innovation in that it zones in on local, incremental solutions too quickly. This thesis explores different strategies corporations may take in incorporating innovation at their organizations. First, background and theory are presented to guide the discussion, grounded on ecological psychology. Second, a case study (VisionPRO Thermostat) is presented that provides insight in how innovation can work in large structured organizations; in this case, outsourcing and the use of common tools were used as the innovation strategy and transfer mechanism. Third, the discussion is expanded to broader corporate strategies that can inject innovation in product development processes. Innovation and structured processes are at odds with each other and need to be managed with different approaches. Innovation processes require creative isolation from high structure to open degrees of freedom and the design space; this can be accomplished through multiple strategies such as outsourcing, buying, injecting, incubating, co- locating, spinning-off, and distributing. Structured processes should rely on a high level of constraints that are highly predictable to push productivity and efficiency; this can be accomplished through Six Sigma and lean processes. Interfaces between the two sets of processes are critical to mediate effective transfer and insertion in product lines; in the case of the VisionPRO, common language (i.e., the common use of certain Six Sigma tools) and people played the interface role. Finally, conclusions, contributions, limitations, and future research are presented. by John Roman Hajdukiewicz. S.M. 2008-09-03T15:26:10Z 2008-09-03T15:26:10Z 2006 2007 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/42358 234195765 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 62 leaves application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology
spellingShingle System Design and Management Program.
Hajdukiewicz, John R
Achieving innovation and development speed in large structured organizations : an ecological view and case study
title Achieving innovation and development speed in large structured organizations : an ecological view and case study
title_full Achieving innovation and development speed in large structured organizations : an ecological view and case study
title_fullStr Achieving innovation and development speed in large structured organizations : an ecological view and case study
title_full_unstemmed Achieving innovation and development speed in large structured organizations : an ecological view and case study
title_short Achieving innovation and development speed in large structured organizations : an ecological view and case study
title_sort achieving innovation and development speed in large structured organizations an ecological view and case study
topic System Design and Management Program.
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/42358
work_keys_str_mv AT hajdukiewiczjohnr achievinginnovationanddevelopmentspeedinlargestructuredorganizationsanecologicalviewandcasestudy