Exploring Best Practices for Ideation. A comparative study

Abstract

Abstract This paper examines how organizations engage their employees in generating ideas for innovation, henceforth referred to as ideation. The study was conducted through interviews among innovation leaders at 9 different companies in the Gothenburg region. The various industries that are represented by the companies range from manufacturing, automotive, logistics, to health care, urban development and information technology. The findings indicate that the common ideation methods which the companies use are innovation workshops followed by innovation contests and jams. These ideation methods are often used by the companies for different purposes. Workshops were considered as more appropriate for achieving business results, and demonstrating the feasibility of an idea, while contests and jams were considered as more appropriate for fostering an innovation climate. The analysis of this study is based on the insights which the companies highlighted in working with ideation. Success in managing ideation seems to be dependent on three key factors which were identified as; management commitment, collaboration, and idea management.