Systematic Innovation Process Research Articles

Preparation of Modified Carbon Nanotube Polyvinylidene Fluoride Composite Film and Its Application in Packaging Design

Sustainable design does not emphasize the safety of the ecosystem, but builds a systematic innovation process, taking into account customer needs, environmental benefits, social benefits, and corporate development. This article is based on the preparation of a modified carbon nanotube polyvinylidene fluoride composite film to analyze its application value in packaging design, aiming at analyzing the performance of the modified carbon nanotube and the polyvinylidene fluoride composite film during the preparation process, and applying its various characteristics to the process of packaging design optimization concept. The article is mainly divided into two parts: preparing modified carbon nanotubes and preparing polyvinylidene fluoride composite films. Among them, the photomechanical properties of carbon nanotubes, the relationship between the composition of the composite material and the dielectric properties, the dielectric response and relaxation behavior, the hydrophilicity of the composite membrane, and the membrane separation technology were discussed, and the carbon nanotubes were constructed. Incorporating carbon nanotubes into carbon fiber hybrid materials, and combining carbon nanotubes with polymer materials, works extremely well. The structure model is prepared, the molecular pore size, hydrophilicity, etc. are recorded, and surface modification, chemical modification, blending modification, and other methods are applied to analyze and evaluate the data. The experimental results show that in the application of modified carbon nanotubes and polyvinylidene fluoride composite films and packaging design, the interactive function of toughening modification increases 2.44 points; through enhancement modification, packaging design reduction increases by 2.5 points; and through the compatibilization modification, the functionality of the packaging design has increased by 1.88 points.

Deepening students' experiences with problem identification and definition in an empathetic approach: lessons from a university design-thinking program

PurposeThis study explored students' experiences of creative problem-solving using a design thinking approach in higher education, mainly focusing on the importance of empathetic approach in the problem identification and definition phase.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a descriptive qualitative research design and thematic analysis, in which observation and 27 semi-structured reports were used to reveal the impact of design thinking on undergraduate students' experience of creative problem-solving.FindingsThe authors found multiple themes in students' responses concerning problem identification and definition in design thinking, which could be described as a systematic innovation process. Four major themes were identified. They included identifying and defining problems in a real-world context, empathizing with people from the target beneficiary group as a process of problem identification and definition, working with a team to expand the empathizing view, and perceiving the need for deep exploration in the empathetic process and defining a problem.Research limitations/implicationsThis study examined the perceived role of empathy in students' creative problem-solving process. However, the main limitation of this study was the small sample size, which can limit the generalizability of the results of the study. Nonetheless, this study provides valuable insights into understanding the role of empathy and problem identification as an essential process in creative problem-solving.Practical implicationsIt is worthwhile to integrate design thinking as an effective teaching and learning strategy in university education, particularly for fostering empathy and creative problem-solving skills in students. Among the processes of design thinking, empathy is critical in the problem identification and definition phase.Originality/valueThis study adds to existing knowledge by examining the role and ways of perceiving real-world problems in a human-centered mindset in university programs.

Injecting Innovation to Traditional, Natural Cosmetic Ingredients: The Case of Dead Sea Minerals

Innovation had become a key factor in the growing competition among cosmetic brands, aiming to answer dynamic changes in customers' perception. Ingredients' importance is growing, due to the elevation of consumers' awareness to products' composition. Yet, the traditional well-known ingredients continue to have a major impact of cosmetic formulae. Consequently, the need to consistently deliver innovation is raised, including improvement of special conservative ingredients. To answer this challenge, we propose a two steps systematic innovation process, based on AHAVA cosmetic brand's experience. A tool kit of alternative ways to inject innovation into a natural traditional ingredient is described, comprising the categories of new combination; a new mode of application; improved definition; enhanced concentration; and new service/marketing concept. In this article all suggested innovation tools are described and demonstrated via the case of Dead Sea minerals.

Systematic Innovation for Manufacturing Quality Improvement

This paper provides a detailed analysis on the systematic innovation process in improving the quality control of latex gloves production. The systematic innovation tool such as TRIZ is applied in this case study. Function analysis, cause and effect chain analysis, physical contradiction, By-separation model and 40 Inventive Principles are applied in order to derive some feasible and low cost solutions to alleviate the problem. Findings revealed that the rejected (leaking) gloves on the production line will be manually monitored by a checker during the air blowing test and will be discarded by the same checker instantly. The main root cause is that the quality control worker is not able to concentrate all the times to detect the torn gloves, mainly is due to the fast speed production line and other distractions. The problem is solved by applying function analysis, physical contradiction, by-separation tool and Inventive Principles to generate low cost but elegant solutions within the defined scope of several constraints and without making the production line more complex. Therefore, it can be concluded that TRIZ is a systematic and innovative problem solving methodology.

The Anthropophagic Organization: How Innovations Transcend the Temporary in a Project-based Organization

This article shows how innovations in projects may be diffused successfully within a large project-based organization (PBO) and how they ‘live on’ through their adaptation. We draw on the metaphorical notion of anthropophagy, literally ‘human cannibalism’, which is used to explain the appropriation of otherness resulting in ongoing organizational life. Prior organization literature has stressed the difficulties of the transition from the temporary to the permanent, especially the failure of database-oriented approaches, and argued that these barriers may be overcome with repeatable standardized templates. In contrast we show that multiple innovations may be adopted within the same PBO, which manifest as differentiated, combined forms. Cases in the large energy and engineering company, Petrobras, show a systematic innovation process involving subject experts, but centrally a database containing records of 1104 mandatory and discretionary innovations. The article analyses these data, process documentation and observations of 15 completed innovation projects. The article argues that in addition to technical factors the anthropophagic attitude motivates adopters to take on the innovations of others with the appetising prospect of appropriation and adaptation.

Factors that Facilitate Systematic Problems Solving Process in Small and Medium Enterprises

Background/Objectives: Generating innovative services are not just related to analyzing the customer and market needs, or applying the systematic innovation process, but it is also related to other key success factors that can lead to the success of innovation. This theoretical study focused on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) performance during implementing systematic innovation analysis method, such as TRIZ- theory of inventive problem solving, in solving service problems. Methods Analysis: This paper reviewed the results from previous studies and highlighted important factors in facilitating the systematic problems solving process, and integrating the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solution with the ultimate process outcome. Findings: The results of this paper emphasized on the two aspects for promoting the process. First aspect refers to necessary factors such as innovation champion and/or innovation team, important customer needs, create value, and organizational alignment for providing successful innovative services. The second aspect refers to individual, environmental, organizational, and technological factors which influencing the ICT integration with the process outcomes. Improvements/Applications: Taking in considering external and internal factors that may affect using systematic innovation analysis assists SMEs to find platforms to develop and improve their work.

Using Systematic Innovation Process to Improve the Manufacturing Technology of Platelet Agitators

Abstract This research took part in the research and development (R&D) and manufacturing processes of platelet agitator instruments at the W-ESPR Technology Company. First, two measurement indexes, the hazard probability and hazard severity, were used to evaluate all possible hazardous events drawn from ISO 14971 (the quality management of medical devices regulations) in the R&D and manufacturing processes. All possible hazardous events were then sifted to find potential hazardous events. Second, these two measurement indexes were combined into a complex risk index to identify the key hazardous events from the potential hazardous events. Third, this study then used the contradiction matrix theory of TRIZ to search for problem solutions for the key hazardous events. Finally, the Taguchi quality engineering method was used as a reference for imported platelet agitators to solve the key hazardous events. Using the systematic procedure proposed in this research, W-ESPR Technology Company developed high quality platelet agitators which were adopted by the Taiwan Blood Donation Center.

TRIZ: Engineering Methodologies to Improve the Process Reliability

Research of solutions to problem in existing processes often deals with the tendency to follow mental schemes because of the psychological inertia. This study illustrates a knowledge‐based systematic methodology of inventive problem solving for the effective development of new systems and solutions, a theory that consists of theoretical foundation, analytical and knowledge‐based tools, applicable in conjunction with other creativity and engineering methodologies. The TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solution) applicability in process reliability can develop new and effective solutions thanks to the examination of contradiction, different prospective, and points of view. The systematic innovation process provides a platform to integrate heterogeneous resources and tools opening the problem‐solving methodology to new and different interdisciplinary approaches. The deconstruction and identification of issues to analyze the problems in their context and in relation to other factors are adopted in many areas of industrial production as well as in the more general problem‐solving matters. In particular, this study will show how TRIZ can be used in process optimization rather than research and development where this methodology is commonly adopted. This case represents a practical application of the TRIZ to increase quality and reliability in regard to a manufacturing process of an industry that designs and builds molds and equipment for the production of aluminum food containers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Promoting the Systematic Innovation Process in Small and Medium Enterprises

Many success organizations focus involving innovation in their products or services in order to distinguish themselves in business. However, internal and external factors, which are not related to the analysis of customer requirements and implementation of the systematic innovative process, can cause failure of firms. This theoretical study, highlight critical success factors (CSFs) affecting while firms like small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using systematic innovation analysis method such as TRIZtheory of inventive problem solving – in service sectors. This paper include others studies in order to uncover of CSFs for implementing systematic innovation process, and involve the theory of diffusion of innovation (DOF) for supporting the results. The results of this study emphasized on factors conducive creating the innovation SME such as innovation champion, important customer need, create value, and organizational alignment. Taking in considering the factors that may affect before or during using systematic innovation analysis assists SMEs to find platforms to develop and promote their work.

A proposed process for systematic innovation

A systematic innovation process (SIP) derived from observations of business practices is proposed and exemplified. Time-wise, the SIP is a series of phases and stages which link the planned business processes from business opportunity identification to technology details to cross-industry application exploitation of newly developed technology/tools/products. Resource-wise, the SIP provides a platform to integrate heterogeneous resources and tools such as TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving), non-TRIZ tools, and more opportunity identification and problem solving techniques for systematic innovation. Unlike brain-storming type innovation activities which are often ad-hoc and highly dependent on luck, systematic innovation regards the systematic development of innovative problem solving and/or opportunity identification. The proposed SIP is based on the authors’ observations of industry practices and has not been described elsewhere before. The framework integrates the full phases of systematic innovation processes providing a structured process to enable companies to systematically identify business opportunities and key problems, solve problems, and leverage developed tools/products/technologies for cross-industry exploitations. This SIP also allows for the integration of various tools and knowledge within the overall systematic and cyclic process to support systematic innovation.

Changing your company's approach to innovation

PurposeThis article aims to offer executives specific guidance on how to tailor a successful innovation strategy to their individual company situation.Design/methodology/approachBased on Strategos' experience assisting clients in many industries to develop a core competence at innovation, the firm offers three practical guidelines.FindingsThe article finds that Strategos recommends: start with fresh perspectives; leave behind the old innovation paradigm by challenging three outdated assumptions that constrain innovation efforts; use “innovation architecture” to design your innovation program; map out what you need to do on the three critical dimensions of innovation – the “what”, the “who” and the “how.”; avoid seven pitfalls that can thwart the initiative; and learn from the experience of innovation pioneers as you implement your innovation program.Research limitations/implicationsThe article offers numerous case examples and step‐by‐step guidance.Practical implicationsThe article identifies seven pitfalls and explains how to avoid them. These are: overly relying on customers to find solutions; generating ideas without new insights; assuming that innovation is about making a few “big bets”; failing to give innovators time, training and tools; confusing “involving many people” with “making it a free for all”; letting a systematic innovation process become bureaucratic; and failing to insist on sufficient involvement from the executive group.Originality/valueMaps out what companies need to do on the three critical dimensions of innovation – the “what”, the “who” and the “how.”

Towards a Comprehensive Systematic Innovation Model: A Literature review

The management of innovation would require a distinctive innovation process. There are indications that the innovation process is vaguely described, which means it will be difficult to manage it. Two streams of innovation processes are discussed and a generalisation of one of them to determine the extent of having a comprehensive systematic innovation process model. For the purpose of this paper a short definition of innovation is given. The innovation methods, systematic innovation, creative problem solving and TRIZ are briefly discussed. Methods to analyse problems is given as adequate definitions of problems are necessary for efficient finding of solutions. Idea creation techniques are discussed as well as the evaluation and implementation of ideas. Systematic innovation for business and management and the influence of psychological factors, problem definition and solving is examined. The conclusion looks at the combination of the creative problem solving and TRIZ processes and tools as presented in the model for systematic innovation for business and management and provide an evaluation of it. The detected shortcomings towards being comprehensive are indicated.