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Learning and Innovation Management in Project-Based, Service-Enhanced Firms

Author

Listed:
  • David M. Gann

    (IMI/RAEng Chair in Innovative Manufacturing, Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU), Mantell Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RF, United Kingdom)

  • Ammon Salter

    (IMI Programme, SPRU, University of Sussex, UK)

Abstract

This paper explores the management of innovation in project-based firms. Our research indicates that the traditional boundary between manufacturing and services is becoming obsolete as new forms of manufacturing emerge to supply physical products packaged together with intangible services. Many complex products are now designed, produced and operated as discrete or small batch projects, leading to a growth in firms specialising in project-based activities. These range from the provision of specialist services to co-ordination and systems integration. Not enough is known about how project-based firms manage technology. This paper attempts to develop a framework for understanding the dynamics of project-based firms. It offers a new approach to understanding how they improve performance by focusing on the development of technical capabilities in the context of the provision of enhanced services.

Suggested Citation

  • David M. Gann & Ammon Salter, 1998. "Learning and Innovation Management in Project-Based, Service-Enhanced Firms," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 2(04), pages 431-454.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijimxx:v:02:y:1998:i:04:n:s1363919698000195
    DOI: 10.1142/S1363919698000195
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Prencipe, Andrea & Tell, Fredrik, 2001. "Inter-project learning: processes and outcomes of knowledge codification in project-based firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(9), pages 1373-1394, December.
    2. Pia Pässilä & Lauri Pulkka & Seppo Junnila, 2015. "How to Succeed in Low-Energy Housing—Path Creation Analysis of Low-Energy Innovation Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Criscuolo, Paola & Salter, Ammon & Sheehan, Tony, 2007. "Making knowledge visible: Using expert yellow pages to map capabilities in professional services firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 1603-1619, December.
    4. Salter, Ammon & Gann, David, 2003. "Sources of ideas for innovation in engineering design," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(8), pages 1309-1324, September.
    5. Barlow, James, 2000. "Innovation and learning in complex offshore construction projects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(7-8), pages 973-989, August.
    6. Cacciatori, Eugenia, 2008. "Memory objects in project environments: Storing, retrieving and adapting learning in project-based firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 1591-1601, October.
    7. Geyer, Anton & Davies, Andrew, 2000. "Managing project-system interfaces: case studies of railway projects in restructured UK and German markets," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(7-8), pages 991-1013, August.
    8. Eugenia Cacciatori, 2004. "Organisational Memory and Innovation Across Projects: Integrated Service Provision in Engineering Design Firms," SPRU Working Paper Series 117, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    9. Clement Smartt & Susan Ferreira, 2011. "Advancing systems engineering in support of the bid and proposal process," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(3), pages 255-266, September.
    10. Davies, Andrew & Brady, Tim, 2000. "Organisational capabilities and learning in complex product systems: towards repeatable solutions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(7-8), pages 931-953, August.
    11. Nightingale, P., 2000. "The product-process-organisation relationship in complex development projects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(7-8), pages 913-930, August.
    12. Ammon Salter & David Gann, 2001. "Sources of Ideas for Innovation in Engineering Design," SPRU Working Paper Series 74, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    13. Carol Ekinsmyth, 2002. "Project Organization, Embeddedness and Risk in Magazine Publishing," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(3), pages 229-243.
    14. Gann, David M. & Salter, Ammon J., 2000. "Innovation in project-based, service-enhanced firms: the construction of complex products and systems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(7-8), pages 955-972, August.
    15. Goto, Masashi, 2023. "Anticipatory innovation of professional services: The case of auditing and artificial intelligence," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(8).
    16. Peter Maskell & Harald Bathelt & Anders Malmberg, 2005. "Building Global Knowledge Pipelines The Role of Temporary Clusters," DRUID Working Papers 05-20, DRUID, Copenhagen Business School, Department of Industrial Economics and Strategy/Aalborg University, Department of Business Studies.
    17. Ammon J Salter & David M Gann, 2001. "The Role of Middle Range Publications in the Development of Engineering Knowledge," SPRU Working Paper Series 58, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.

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