A Case Study of Idea Work in the Early Phases of Product Development

Liv Gish, Christian Clausen, Claus Thorp Hansen

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceedingArticle in proceedingResearchpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
216 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Focus in this paper is on the early innovation activities, in particular idea work. Based on a case study from industrial practice on the development of a new circulator (the Alpha Pro circulator) we aim at getting a better understanding of the work with ideas in the early phases of product development. Based on our case we will point out four central findings: 1) Early idea work is a complex process and interlinked with many other activities both inside and outside the organization. 2) Ideas evolve,combine and change over time. 3) Idea work involves a wide range of actors. 4) Carrying ideas through demands continuous mobilization of support among a range of actors. We suggest that the actors involved in idea work and their interaction such as negotiating different understandings of what constitutes a qualified idea as well as the continuous mobilization of support to their ideas among a range of actors should be key elements when we want to understand early idea work.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 17th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED09)
EditorsM. Norell Bregendahl, M. Grimheden, L. Leifer, P. Skogstad, J. Clarkson
VolumeVolume 1
PublisherDesign Society
Publication date2009
Pages447-458
ISBN (Print)9781904670056
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes

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