Achieving innovation through bureaucracy: lessons from the Japanese brewing industry

Article Abstract:

During the 1980s, external changes that affected demand for beer in Japan caused Japan's four major brewers to shift to product strategies featuring a heavy emphasis on new product development. This article focuses on the implementation of those strategies, that is, the building of organizational capability to carry out new product development successfully. It examines organizational weaknesses and obstacles that blocked product development, as well as measures taken and organizational arrangements instituted to overcome resistance and support innovative product development. The building of "local" capability - in the units specifically in charge of product development - is a necessary but insufficient condition for successful new product development; support from the broader organization is required as well. The article also shows how the Japanese brewers, rather than eliminating bureaucracy, creatively used "bureaucratic" means such as formal working arrangements, systems, and procedures to foster and support innovation. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Beer & Other Malt Beverages, Breweries, Case studies, Japan, Malt beverages, Brewing industry, Bureaucracy

---

Creativity doesn't require isolation: why product designers bring visitors "backstage."(Creativity in Management)

Article Abstract:

Most existing writings imply that creative work is best done in physical and social isolation from outsiders, including case studies of successful product development teams that worked in isolation and psychological research showing that novel responses are inhibited when observers are present. In contrast, this article describes how one organization, IDEO Product Development, innovates routinely even though it has a constant and diverse stream of backstage visitors. IDEO uses visitors' knowledge to enhance its creative work. Other benefits of such visits include enhancing the organization's reputation and improving the innovation process in client organizations. This case implies that creative work does not always require isolation and that visitors can be brought backstage in ways that help rather than hamper creative work. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Engineering Services, Product Development Engineering, Business consultants, Management consultants, Business creativity, Social isolation, IDEO Product Development Inc., Product engineering

---

Central dilemmas of managing innovation in large firms

Article Abstract:

Based on a multi-year field study of internal ventures in several established firms, this article highlights the central dilemmas that confront innovation from concept to commercialization. The chief difficulties in generating innovation arise from five key dilemmas encountered in locating, seizing, and then methodically navigating creative sparks through the maze and haze of large organizations. To systematically address these dilemmas, firms must endeavor to integrate their entire innovation effort. Three overarching themes are useful for understanding how to holistically manage the dilemmas of innovation in large firms: Strategic Envelope, Strategic Pacing, and Strategic Partnerships. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Technological innovations, Big business

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Developing manufacturing flexibility through supply chain activities: evidence from the motherboard industry. Supply chain integration and shareholder value: evidence from consortium based industry exchanges
• Abstracts: Estimating the cost of capital through time: an analysis of the sources of error. Delay cost and incentive schemes for multiple users
• Abstracts: A journey through never-never land: from business planning to project implementation. Managing design-to-cost engineering projects
• Abstracts: The invention of the independence condition for preferences. Unreasonable rationality?
• Abstracts: Connecting your company to the Internet. IT planning: it's for everybody! Education and the information superhighway

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.