The Future of Innovation: New Study from the Innovation Exchange at London Business School

Innovation Exchange at London Business School announces the launch of a major research project into Corporate Innovation, focusing on how companies approach radical innovation in challenging times.

LONDON, UK & BOSTON, MA (14 February, 2003). The Innovation Exchange at London Business School announces the launch of a major research project into Corporate Innovation. The research, conducted in collaboration with Imaginatik Research, a leading think tank on innovation, and Kleindahl, a venture production firm, focuses on how companies approach radical innovation, and whether they differentiate their approach according to the degree of innovativeness of the particular project.

The goal of the project is to explore the processes and structures of innovation inside companies today. Dr. Bettina von Stamm, Director of the London Business School's Innovation Exchange, and author of 'The Innovation Wave says "there are many exciting developments taking place and it is an important research. Companies profess to seek radical innovation but struggle to make it happen. The survey will shed light on current practice for the development and implementation of radical and incremental innovation."

"This project is extremely timely as more and more companies face a widening 'Innovation Gap," says Mark Turrell, Director at Imaginatik Research. The slowdown in merger activity means that growth expectations cannot be met through business as usual".

Simon Williams, Managing Director of Kleindahl says "From our work with blue-chip clients across Europe we know innovation is seen as the key driver of sustainable revenue growth and value creation. Yet typically only 5% of the $120bn spent on R&D in developed countries results in commercial success. To improve this ratio, generate revenues and reduce wastage we need to develop a better understanding on what does and does not work."

The research is survey-based and is targeted at medium to large companies. The results will be available in early summer 2003. Individuals are invited to participate by completing a 15-minute online form at http://www.hostedsurvey.com/takesurvey.asp?c=Innovation2.

For more information, please contact:

BETTINA VON STAMM, London Business School, bvstamm@london.edu
MARK TURRELL, Imaginatik Research, mark_turrell@imaginatik.com, +1 (617) 275 7140

About The Innovation Exchange

The Innovation Exchange is networking initiative based at the London Business School. Launched in January 1999, the aim is to facilitate networking between its members, to advance and share understanding of innovation -- particularly in large organizations -- and to develop innovation best practice. Member companies include Castle Cement, Centrica, Diageo, LloydsTSB, Masterfoods and Unilever. For more information please visit http://iexchange.london.edu.

About Imaginatik Research

Imaginatik Research is a research institute dedicated to understanding and sharing the emerging best practices in corporate innovation. The group is part of Imaginatik, the leading Idea Management software company whose clients include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cadbury Schweppes, Hallmark, and W R Grace. Imaginatik Research produces regular reports and papers on Innovation Management and Knowledge Management, and publishes a free monthly newsletter: 'Corporate Innovation'. For more information please visit www.imaginatik.com/research.

About Kleindahl

Kleindahl is a venture production firm that specializes in managing innovation for strategic business growth. With extensive international experience in business strategy, corporate venturing and commercial development Kleindahl acts as an independent 'producer' to help organisations to conceive, develop and launch new ventures to create new revenues and sustainable business. Clients are typically leading edge organisations with a distinctive asset base and include Reuters, Unilever, MIT Media Lab Europe, Met Office, Ordnance Survey and Design Council. Kleindahl is based in London with an office in Paris. For more information on Kleindahl services or case studies please contact contactlondon@kleindahl.com or visit www.kleindahl.com .