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Innovation Research Topics: That You Need To Look Into

Whenever you want to come up with a professional or academic paper that stands out, one of the best ways is to think of various innovative ideas. But coming up with ideas like argumentative essay topics or dissertation proposal help that allow you to exploit the issue perfectly and reveal some fantastic findings isn’t always easy.

Best Project Innovation Ideas in Management

Interesting innovation technology ideas, hot innovation project ideas for students, most captivating innovation project ideas in healthcare, easy innovative business topics for research paper, trendy innovation research topics, simple innovation essay topics in education, top innovative research topics on social media, fascinating product innovation ideas, awesome innovative research ideas in agriculture.

In your innovation research, focus on your interests based on what you learn in your course. That’s the best way to have a topic you can effectively write and excite your professor or sponsor. This article will focus on 100 innovative research topics you can consider to improve your chances of scoring a top grade.

In addition to social media research topics , there’s a lot you can focus on to write excellent projects. Here are some of the management innovation research examples to get you started.

Management innovations as a critical factor in increasing consumers
Disruptive innovations in management nobody expected this year
Comparing the internal and external management innovations
A look at innovations in business management post-COVID-19
The needed innovations in manufacturing companies to improve waste management
Exploring the impact of customer relationship management tools in 2023
How digital transformation has changed management processes in big ventures
How innovations are transforming the risk management space
Evaluating the effectiveness of virtual management tools
The role of machine learning in project management

A topic that allows you to write about what the majority like most will make you stand out. As you read more on social issues research topics , the innovative technology ideas below are also worth it.

Analyzing the innovations in the airline industries over the years
The role of technology innovations in the crime sector
Are digital technologies losing the sense of innovativeness?
Innovations in technology and service delivery: The truth revealed
Understanding how tech innovations cause job losses
Effects of technological changes on the payment processes
Machine learning algorithms in maintaining production systems
Analyzing how smart homes are becoming better with artificial intelligence
Is the continuous development of apps with blockchain technology viable?
Understanding the security of mobile apps from a technological perspective

Every student desires a project showing their detailed understanding of the innovation idea. Besides these research topics for STEM students , here are some hot product innovation examples for students:

AI as a solution for mild illnesses
Comparing tech innovations based on project budgets
The impacts of blockchain technology in developing voting systems
The role of AI in surveillance systems
Part of the innovations in energy generation using renewable sources
Part of the innovations in traffic control
Online shopping innovations transforming the retail sector
How innovations are making it easy to handle cycle crimes
Developing a health and wellness app for students with bad eating habits
Using waste materials to build tech machines and hardware

A common question about innovation in healthcare is, how do people come up with many exciting biochemistry topics that are out there in published papers? Worry not because this section will reveal more diverse ideas to try out.

Analyzing the usage of health and fitness apps among the elderly
Using electronic health data in apps development
Improving hospital drug dispensation with automation
Tracking blood electrolyte levels without sample collection
Challenges of using automation to diagnose infants
Blockchain as key in health records
Expected innovations in telemedicine going forward
How technology has changed hospital consultations
Blood pressure interventions using the latest technologies
Are innovations that track patient progress online practical?

From the many innovation project examples you’ll come across in your research, innovative business topics are among the most exciting to read. Read on for more exciting topics.

Challenges of innovations in business
Innovation and passive income
Online stores’ key growth parameters
Using technology to get legit business advice
Artificial intelligence in business data management
Innovation ideas for manufacturing business
Encouraging innovations to increase product consumption
Innovations in businesses are capital intensive
A new era of hiring and staffing
Role of management in business innovations

Economics research paper topics tell a lot about the current times. However, a trendy example of an innovation research topic expounds more on what many now prefer. These sample innovation topics show what’s trending.

The benefits of quantum computing
Automation in customer management
A look at predictive analysis
Using the Internet of Things Correctly
Database improvement with blockchain
New cybersecurity interventions
5G revolution
Using edge computing in research
A look at machine learning advancements
Artificial intelligence vs. machine learning

Education innovation and changes attract a lot of controversies. Here are some essay topics in education you’ll be happy to focus on.

The impact of outside-class learning
Brain breaks in the academic journey
Early learning trauma and academic excellence
Virtual vs. physical presence learning
Grades and student improvement
Mastery-based grading
Personalize learning curriculum
Role of tech in homeschooling
Role of STEM in education innovations
Benefits of blended learning

First, read more about the thesis statement about social media . You’ll realize it’s pretty easy to create some fantastic research topics. These innovation samples revolve around social media.

Social media and brands authenticity
Social media and propaganda
Addressing costs of social media advertising
Social media content challenges
Why prioritize social media integrations?
Are cookies making social media sites worse?
Comparing Facebook and Instagram ads
A look at crucial TikTok analytics
Comparing short and long-form social media content
A new approach to social media ads

As you learn more about anatomy research papers , we’d love to emphasize more on research product ideas that apply to other fields. These ideas include the following:

E-learning short courses taking over major courses
Adaptation of drones in fighting crimes
New car accessories and improved efficiency
Candle innovations that sell
Technological advancements in Cannabis processing
Food products for intolerant kids
Baby products now save costs
Tech in safe training machines
Humidifiers and COVID-19
Kitchen air fryers and their health concern

You probably have many questions about innovation, especially in the agriculture sector. We will list some innovative topics below to help you write the best research paper.

A detailed overview of automated farm machines
Are laser scarecrows effective?
On-site agriculture product testing
Innovations for improving harvest quality
Using IoT technology to conserve water
Mobile apps in agriculture
Role of tech in animal feeding
Current innovations in farm management
Use of AI in agricultural innovations
Using innovations to increase crop yields

How does research make human innovation possible? If you have been wondering about this question, the topics listed in this article will give you the best answer. Once you have decided on what you want to focus on, reach out to us, and let’s help you write a research paper that guarantees a top grade.

500+ Business Research Topics

Business research is an essential component of any successful organization, as it allows companies to make informed decisions based on data-driven insights. Whether it’s market research to identify new opportunities, or analyzing internal processes to improve efficiency, there are a vast array of business research topics that companies can explore. With the constantly evolving business landscape, it’s critical for organizations to stay up-to-date with the latest research trends and best practices to remain competitive. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most compelling business research topics that are currently being studied, providing insights and actionable recommendations for businesses of all sizes.

Business Research Topics

Business Research Topics are as follows:

The impact of social media on consumer behavior
Strategies for enhancing customer satisfaction in the service industry
The effectiveness of mobile marketing campaigns
Exploring the factors influencing employee turnover
The role of leadership in organizational culture
Investigating the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance
Assessing the impact of employee engagement on organizational performance
The challenges and opportunities of global supply chain management
Analyzing the effectiveness of e-commerce platforms
Investigating the impact of organizational culture on employee motivation
The role of corporate governance in ensuring ethical business practices
Examining the impact of digital marketing on brand equity
Strategies for managing diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Exploring the effects of employee empowerment on job satisfaction
The role of innovation in business growth
Analyzing the impact of mergers and acquisitions on company performance
Investigating the impact of workplace design on employee productivity
The challenges and opportunities of international business expansion
Strategies for managing talent in the knowledge economy
The role of artificial intelligence in transforming business operations
Examining the impact of customer loyalty programs on retention and revenue
Investigating the relationship between corporate social responsibility and brand reputation
The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership
The impact of digital transformation on small and medium-sized enterprises
Analyzing the effectiveness of green marketing strategies
The role of entrepreneurship in economic development
Investigating the impact of employee training and development on organizational performance
The challenges and opportunities of omnichannel retailing
Examining the impact of organizational change on employee morale and productivity
The role of corporate social responsibility in attracting and retaining millennial talent
Analyzing the impact of employee motivation on organizational culture
Investigating the impact of workplace diversity on team performance
The challenges and opportunities of blockchain technology in business operations
Strategies for managing cross-functional teams
The role of big data analytics in business decision-making
Examining the impact of corporate social responsibility on customer loyalty
Investigating the relationship between corporate social responsibility and employee engagement
The impact of social media marketing on customer engagement and brand loyalty.
The effectiveness of AI in improving customer service and satisfaction.
The role of entrepreneurship in economic development and job creation.
The impact of the gig economy on the labor market.
The effects of corporate social responsibility on company profitability.
The role of data analytics in predicting consumer behavior and market trends.
The effects of globalization on the competitiveness of small businesses.
The impact of e-commerce on traditional brick-and-mortar retail.
The role of emotional intelligence in leadership and team management.
The effects of workplace diversity on employee productivity and satisfaction.
The role of corporate culture in employee retention and satisfaction.
The impact of employee training and development on company performance.
The effectiveness of performance-based pay structures on employee motivation.
The impact of sustainability practices on company reputation and profitability.
The effects of artificial intelligence on job displacement and the future of work.
The role of innovation in the growth and success of small businesses.
The impact of government regulations on business operations and profitability.
The effects of organizational structure on company performance and efficiency.
The role of emotional labor in service industries.
The impact of employee empowerment on job satisfaction and retention.
The effects of workplace flexibility on employee productivity and well-being.
The role of emotional intelligence in negotiation and conflict resolution.
The impact of branding on consumer behavior and purchase decisions.
The effects of customer experience on brand loyalty and advocacy.
The role of storytelling in marketing and advertising.
The impact of consumer psychology on pricing strategies and sales.
The effects of influencer marketing on consumer behavior and brand loyalty.
The role of trust in online transactions and e-commerce.
The impact of product design on consumer perception and purchasing decisions.
The effects of customer satisfaction on company profitability and growth.
The role of social entrepreneurship in addressing societal problems and creating value.
The impact of corporate governance on company performance and stakeholder relations.
The effects of workplace harassment on employee well-being and company culture.
The role of strategic planning in the success of small businesses.
The impact of technology on supply chain management and logistics.
The effects of customer segmentation on marketing strategies and sales.
The role of corporate philanthropy in building brand reputation and loyalty.
The impact of intellectual property protection on innovation and creativity.
The effects of trade policies on international business operations and profitability.
The role of strategic partnerships in business growth and expansion.
The impact of digital transformation on organizational structure and operations.
The effects of leadership styles on employee motivation and performance.
The role of corporate social activism in shaping public opinion and brand reputation.
The impact of mergers and acquisitions on company performance and stakeholder value.
The effects of workplace automation on job displacement and re-skilling.
The role of cross-cultural communication in international business operations.
The impact of workplace stress on employee health and productivity.
The effects of customer reviews and ratings on online sales and reputation.
The role of competitive intelligence in market research and strategy development.
The impact of brand identity on consumer trust and loyalty.
The impact of organizational structure on innovation and creativity
Analyzing the effectiveness of virtual teams in global organizations
The role of corporate social responsibility in crisis management
The challenges and opportunities of online marketplaces
Strategies for managing cultural diversity in multinational corporations
The impact of employer branding on employee retention
Investigating the impact of corporate social responsibility on investor behavior
The role of technology in enhancing customer experience
Analyzing the impact of social responsibility initiatives on customer satisfaction
Investigating the impact of supply chain disruptions on business performance
The role of business ethics in organizational decision-making
The challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in customer service
Strategies for managing employee burnout and stress in the workplace.
Impact of social media on consumer behavior and its implications for businesses.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on company performance.
An analysis of the relationship between employee satisfaction and customer loyalty.
The effect of advertising on consumer behavior.
A study on the effectiveness of social media marketing in building brand image.
The impact of technological innovations on business strategy and operations.
The relationship between leadership style and employee motivation.
A study of the effects of corporate culture on employee engagement.
An analysis of the factors influencing consumer buying behavior.
The effectiveness of training and development programs in enhancing employee performance.
The impact of global economic factors on business decision-making.
The role of organizational communication in achieving business goals.
The relationship between customer satisfaction and business success.
A study of the challenges and opportunities in international business.
The effectiveness of supply chain management in improving business performance.
An analysis of the factors influencing customer loyalty in the hospitality industry.
The impact of employee turnover on organizational performance.
A study of the impact of corporate governance on company performance.
The role of innovation in business growth and success.
An analysis of the relationship between marketing and sales performance.
The effect of organizational structure on employee behavior.
A study of the impact of cultural differences on business negotiations.
The effectiveness of pricing strategies in increasing sales revenue.
The impact of customer service on customer loyalty.
A study of the role of human resource management in business success.
The impact of e-commerce on traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.
An analysis of the relationship between employee empowerment and job satisfaction.
The effectiveness of customer relationship management in building brand loyalty.
The role of business ethics in corporate decision-making.
A study of the impact of digital marketing on consumer behavior.
The effect of organizational culture on employee turnover.
An analysis of the factors influencing employee engagement in the workplace.
The impact of social media on business communication and marketing.
A study of the relationship between customer service and customer loyalty in the airline industry.
The role of diversity and inclusion in business success.
The effectiveness of performance management systems in improving employee performance.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on employee engagement.
A study of the factors influencing business expansion into new markets.
The role of brand identity in customer loyalty and retention.
The effectiveness of change management strategies in organizational change.
The impact of organizational structure on organizational performance.
A study of the impact of technology on the future of work.
The relationship between innovation and competitive advantage in the marketplace.
The effect of employee training on organizational performance.
An analysis of the impact of online reviews on consumer behavior.
The role of leadership in shaping organizational culture.
The effectiveness of talent management strategies in retaining top talent.
The impact of globalization on small and medium-sized enterprises.
A study of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and brand reputation.
The effectiveness of employee retention strategies in reducing turnover rates.
The role of emotional intelligence in leadership and employee engagement.
The impact of digital marketing on customer behavior
The role of organizational culture in employee engagement and retention
The effects of employee training and development on organizational performance
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance
The impact of globalization on business strategy
The importance of supply chain management in achieving competitive advantage
The role of innovation in business growth and sustainability
The impact of e-commerce on traditional retail businesses
The role of leadership in managing change in organizations
The effects of workplace diversity on organizational performance
The impact of social media on brand image and reputation
The relationship between employee motivation and productivity
The role of organizational structure in promoting innovation
The effects of customer service on customer loyalty
The impact of globalization on small businesses
The role of corporate governance in preventing unethical behavior
The effects of technology on job design and work organization
The relationship between employee satisfaction and turnover
The impact of mergers and acquisitions on organizational culture
The effects of employee benefits on job satisfaction
The impact of cultural differences on international business negotiations
The role of strategic planning in organizational success
The effects of organizational change on employee stress and burnout
The impact of business ethics on customer trust and loyalty
The role of human resource management in achieving competitive advantage
The effects of outsourcing on organizational performance
The impact of diversity and inclusion on team performance
The role of corporate social responsibility in brand differentiation
The effects of leadership style on organizational culture
The Impact of Digital Marketing on Brand Equity: A Study of E-commerce Businesses
Investigating the Relationship between Employee Engagement and Organizational Performance
Analyzing the Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility on Customer Loyalty and Firm Performance
An Empirical Study of the Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Success in the Technology Sector
The Influence of Organizational Culture on Employee Motivation and Job Satisfaction: A Case Study of a Service Industry
Investigating the Impact of Organizational Change on Employee Resistance: A Comparative Study of Two Organizations
An Exploration of the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Supply Chain Management
Examining the Relationship between Leadership Styles and Employee Creativity in Innovative Organizations
Investigating the Effectiveness of Performance Appraisal Systems in Improving Employee Performance
Analyzing the Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Effectiveness: A Study of Senior Managers
The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Employee Motivation and Job Satisfaction in the Healthcare Sector
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Talent Management Strategies in Enhancing Organizational Performance
A Study of the Effects of Customer Relationship Management on Customer Retention and Loyalty
Investigating the Impact of Corporate Governance on Firm Performance: Evidence from Emerging Markets
The Relationship between Intellectual Capital and Firm Performance: A Case Study of Technology Firms
Analyzing the Effectiveness of Diversity Management in Improving Organizational Performance
The Impact of Internationalization on the Performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: A Comparative Study of Developed and Developing Countries
Examining the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance: A Study of Listed Firms
Investigating the Influence of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Firm Performance in Emerging Markets
Analyzing the Impact of E-commerce on Traditional Retail Business Models: A Study of Brick-and-Mortar Stores
The Effect of Corporate Reputation on Customer Loyalty and Firm Performance: A Study of the Banking Sector
Investigating the Factors Affecting Consumer Adoption of Mobile Payment Systems
The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Attracting and Retaining Millennial Employees
Analyzing the Impact of Social Media Marketing on Brand Awareness and Consumer Purchase Intentions
A Study of the Effects of Employee Training and Development on Job Performance
Investigating the Relationship between Corporate Culture and Employee Turnover: A Study of Multinational Companies
The Impact of Business Process Reengineering on Organizational Performance: A Study of Service Industries
An Empirical Study of the Factors Affecting Internationalization Strategies of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
The Effect of Strategic Human Resource Management on Firm Performance: A Study of Manufacturing Firms
Investigating the Influence of Leadership on Organizational Culture: A Comparative Study of Two Organizations
The Impact of Technology Adoption on Organizational Productivity: A Study of the Healthcare Sector
Analyzing the Effects of Brand Personality on Consumer Purchase Intentions: A Study of Luxury Brands
The Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Customer Perceptions of Product Quality: A Study of the Food and Beverage Industry
Investigating the Effectiveness of Performance Management Systems in Improving Employee Performance: A Study of a Public Sector Organization
The Impact of Business Ethics on Firm Performance: A Study of the Banking Industry
Examining the Relationship between Employee Engagement and Customer Satisfaction in the Service Industry
Investigating the Influence of Entrepreneurial Networking on Firm Performance: A Study of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility on Employee Retention: A Study of High-tech Firms
The impact of workplace communication on employee engagement
The role of customer feedback in improving service quality
The effects of employee empowerment on job satisfaction
The impact of innovation on customer satisfaction
The role of knowledge management in organizational learning
The effects of product innovation on market share
The impact of business location on customer behavior
The role of financial management in business success
The effects of corporate social responsibility on employee engagement
The impact of cultural intelligence on cross-cultural communication
The role of social media in crisis management
The effects of corporate branding on customer loyalty
The impact of globalization on consumer behavior
The role of emotional intelligence in leadership effectiveness
The effects of employee involvement in decision-making on job satisfaction
The impact of business strategy on market share
The role of corporate culture in promoting ethical behavior
The effects of corporate social responsibility on investor behavior
The impact of sustainability on brand image and reputation
The role of corporate social responsibility in reducing carbon emissions.
The effectiveness of loyalty programs on customer retention
The benefits of remote work for employee productivity
The impact of environmental sustainability on consumer purchasing decisions
The role of brand identity in consumer loyalty
The relationship between employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction
The impact of e-commerce on traditional brick-and-mortar stores
The effectiveness of online advertising on consumer behavior
The impact of leadership styles on employee motivation
The role of corporate social responsibility in brand perception
The impact of workplace diversity on organizational performance
The effectiveness of gamification in employee training programs
The impact of pricing strategies on consumer behavior
The effectiveness of mobile marketing on consumer engagement
The impact of emotional intelligence on leadership effectiveness
The role of customer service in consumer loyalty
The impact of technology on supply chain management
The effectiveness of employee training programs on job performance
The impact of culture on consumer behavior
The effectiveness of performance appraisal systems on employee motivation
The impact of social responsibility on organizational performance
The role of innovation in business success
The impact of ethical leadership on organizational culture
The effectiveness of cross-functional teams in project management
The impact of government regulations on business operations
The role of strategic planning in business growth
The impact of emotional intelligence on team dynamics
The effectiveness of supply chain management on customer satisfaction
The impact of workplace culture on employee satisfaction
The role of employee engagement in organizational success
The impact of globalization on organizational culture
The effectiveness of virtual teams in project management
The impact of employee turnover on organizational performance
The role of corporate social responsibility in talent acquisition
The impact of technology on employee training and development
The effectiveness of knowledge management on organizational learning
The impact of organizational structure on employee motivation
The role of innovation in organizational change
The impact of cultural intelligence on global business operations
The effectiveness of marketing strategies on brand perception
The impact of change management on organizational culture
The role of leadership in organizational transformation
The impact of employee empowerment on job satisfaction
The effectiveness of project management methodologies on project success
The impact of workplace communication on team performance
The role of emotional intelligence in conflict resolution
The impact of employee motivation on job performance
The effectiveness of diversity and inclusion initiatives on organizational performance.
The impact of social media on consumer behavior and buying decisions
The role of diversity and inclusion in corporate culture and its effects on employee retention and productivity
The effectiveness of remote work policies on job satisfaction and work-life balance
The impact of customer experience on brand loyalty and revenue growth
The effects of environmental sustainability practices on corporate reputation and financial performance
The role of corporate social responsibility in consumer purchasing decisions
The effectiveness of leadership styles on team performance and productivity
The effects of employee motivation on job performance and turnover
The impact of technology on supply chain management and logistics efficiency
The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and team dynamics
The impact of artificial intelligence and automation on job displacement and workforce trends
The effects of brand image on consumer perception and purchasing decisions
The role of corporate culture in promoting innovation and creativity
The impact of e-commerce on traditional brick-and-mortar retail businesses
The effects of corporate governance on financial reporting and transparency
The effectiveness of performance-based compensation on employee motivation and productivity
The impact of online reviews and ratings on consumer trust and brand reputation
The effects of workplace diversity on innovation and creativity
The impact of mobile technology on marketing strategies and consumer behavior
The role of emotional intelligence in customer service and satisfaction
The effects of corporate reputation on financial performance and stakeholder trust
The impact of artificial intelligence on customer service and support
The role of organizational culture in promoting ethical behavior and decision-making
The effects of corporate social responsibility on employee engagement and satisfaction
The impact of employee turnover on organizational performance and profitability
The role of customer satisfaction in promoting brand loyalty and advocacy
The effects of workplace flexibility on employee morale and productivity
The impact of employee wellness programs on absenteeism and healthcare costs
The role of data analytics in business decision-making and strategy formulation
The effects of brand personality on consumer behavior and perception
The impact of social media marketing on brand awareness and customer engagement
The role of organizational justice in promoting employee satisfaction and retention
The effects of corporate branding on employee motivation and loyalty
The impact of online advertising on consumer behavior and purchasing decisions
The role of corporate entrepreneurship in promoting innovation and growth
The effects of cultural intelligence on cross-cultural communication and business success
The impact of workplace diversity on customer satisfaction and loyalty
The role of ethical leadership in promoting employee trust and commitment
The effects of job stress on employee health and well-being
The impact of supply chain disruptions on business operations and financial performance
The role of organizational learning in promoting continuous improvement and innovation
The effects of employee engagement on customer satisfaction and loyalty
The impact of brand extensions on brand equity and consumer behavior
The role of strategic alliances in promoting business growth and competitiveness
The effects of corporate transparency on stakeholder trust and loyalty
The impact of digital transformation on business models and competitiveness
The role of business ethics in promoting corporate social responsibility and sustainability
The effects of employee empowerment on job satisfaction and organizational performance.
The role of corporate governance in mitigating unethical behavior in multinational corporations.
The effects of cultural diversity on team performance in multinational corporations.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on consumer loyalty and brand reputation.
The relationship between organizational culture and employee engagement in service industries.
The impact of globalization on the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The effectiveness of performance-based pay systems on employee motivation and productivity.
The relationship between innovation and corporate performance in the pharmaceutical industry.
The impact of digital marketing on the traditional marketing mix.
The role of emotional intelligence in leadership effectiveness in cross-cultural teams.
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in the banking sector.
The impact of diversity management on employee satisfaction and retention in multinational corporations.
The relationship between leadership style and organizational culture in family-owned businesses.
The impact of e-commerce on supply chain management.
The effectiveness of training and development programs on employee performance in the retail sector.
The impact of global economic trends on strategic decision-making in multinational corporations.
The relationship between ethical leadership and employee job satisfaction in the healthcare industry.
The impact of employee empowerment on organizational performance in the manufacturing sector.
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and employee well-being in the hospitality industry.
The impact of artificial intelligence on customer service in the banking industry.
The relationship between emotional intelligence and employee creativity in the technology industry.
The impact of big data analytics on customer relationship management in the telecommunications industry.
The relationship between organizational culture and innovation in the automotive industry.
The impact of internationalization on the performance of SMEs in emerging markets.
The effectiveness of performance appraisal systems on employee motivation and retention in the public sector.
The relationship between diversity management and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.
The impact of social entrepreneurship on economic development in developing countries.
The relationship between transformational leadership and organizational change in the energy sector.
The impact of online customer reviews on brand reputation in the hospitality industry.
The effectiveness of leadership development programs on employee engagement in the finance industry.
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and employee turnover in the retail sector.
The impact of artificial intelligence on the recruitment and selection process in the technology industry.
The relationship between organizational culture and employee creativity in the fashion industry.
The impact of digital transformation on business models in the insurance industry.
The relationship between employee engagement and customer satisfaction in the service industry.
The impact of mergers and acquisitions on organizational culture and employee morale.
The effectiveness of knowledge management systems on organizational performance in the consulting industry.
The impact of social media marketing on brand loyalty in the food and beverage industry.
The relationship between emotional intelligence and customer satisfaction in the airline industry.
The impact of blockchain technology on supply chain management in the logistics industry.
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and employee engagement in the technology industry.
The impact of digitalization on talent management practices in the hospitality industry.
The effectiveness of reward and recognition programs on employee motivation in the manufacturing industry.
The impact of industry 4.0 on organizational structure and culture in the aerospace industry.
The relationship between leadership style and team performance in the construction industry.
The impact of artificial intelligence on financial forecasting and decision-making in the banking sector.
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and customer loyalty in the automotive industry.
The impact of virtual teams on employee communication and collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry.
The impact of remote work on employee productivity and job satisfaction
The effects of social media marketing on customer engagement and brand loyalty
The role of artificial intelligence in streamlining supply chain management
The effectiveness of employee training and development programs on organizational performance
The impact of diversity and inclusion initiatives on organizational culture and employee satisfaction
The role of corporate social responsibility in enhancing brand reputation and customer loyalty
The effects of e-commerce on small businesses and local economies
The impact of big data analytics on marketing strategies and customer insights
The effects of employee empowerment on organizational innovation and performance
The impact of globalization on the hospitality industry
The effects of corporate governance on organizational performance and financial outcomes
The role of customer satisfaction in driving business growth and profitability
The impact of artificial intelligence on financial forecasting and risk management
The effects of corporate culture on employee engagement and retention
The role of green marketing in promoting environmental sustainability and brand reputation
The impact of digital transformation on the retail industry
The effects of employee motivation on job performance and organizational productivity
The role of customer experience in enhancing brand loyalty and advocacy
The impact of international trade agreements on global business practices
The effects of artificial intelligence on customer service and support
The role of organizational communication in facilitating teamwork and collaboration
The impact of corporate social responsibility on employee motivation and retention
The effects of global economic instability on business decision-making
The role of leadership styles in organizational change management
The impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior and purchasing decisions
The effects of employee well-being on organizational productivity and profitability
The role of innovation in driving business growth and competitive advantage
The impact of digital marketing on consumer behavior and brand perception
The role of strategic planning in organizational success and sustainability
The impact of e-commerce on consumer privacy and data security
The effects of corporate reputation on customer acquisition and retention
The role of diversity and inclusion in organizational creativity and innovation
The impact of artificial intelligence on customer relationship management
The effects of customer feedback on product development and innovation
The role of employee job satisfaction in reducing turnover and absenteeism
The impact of global competition on business strategy and innovation
The effects of corporate branding on customer loyalty and advocacy
The role of digital transformation in enhancing organizational agility and responsiveness
The effects of employee empowerment on customer satisfaction and loyalty
The role of entrepreneurial leadership in driving business innovation and growth
The impact of digital disruption on traditional business models
The effects of organizational culture on innovation and creativity
The role of marketing research in developing effective marketing strategies
The impact of social media on customer relationship management
The effects of employee engagement on organizational innovation and competitiveness
The role of strategic partnerships in promoting business growth and expansion
The impact of global trends on business innovation and entrepreneurship

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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211 Business Topics For Research Paper [Updated]

Are you looking for intriguing business topics to explore in your research paper? Whether you’re a student delving into the world of business studies or a seasoned professional seeking fresh insights, selecting the right topic is crucial. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a diverse array of business topics for research paper. From management strategies to emerging trends like sustainability and digital transformation, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive in!

What Are The Characteristics of Business Research Topics?

Table of Contents

Business research topics possess several key characteristics that distinguish them from other types of research topics. These characteristics include:

Relevance: Business research topics should address current issues, trends, and challenges facing the business world. They should be of interest to academics, practitioners, and policymakers alike.
Practicality: Business research topics should have real-world applicability and relevance to industry practices. They should offer insights that can be implemented to improve organizational performance, decision-making, and strategy.
Interdisciplinary Nature: Business research often draws from multiple disciplines such as economics, management, marketing, finance, and psychology. Topics should be interdisciplinary in nature, incorporating insights from various fields to provide comprehensive analysis.
Data-Driven: Business research relies heavily on empirical evidence and data analysis. Topics should lend themselves to quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method research approaches, depending on the research question and objectives.
Innovation and Creativity: Business research topics should encourage innovative thinking and creative problem-solving. They should explore emerging trends, disruptive technologies, and novel approaches to address business challenges.
Ethical Considerations: Ethical considerations are paramount in business research. Topics should adhere to ethical principles and guidelines, ensuring the protection of participants’ rights and the integrity of research findings.
Global Perspective: Business research topics should consider the global context and implications of business decisions and practices. They should explore cross-cultural differences, international markets, and global trends shaping the business landscape.
Impact: Business research topics should have the potential to generate meaningful insights and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field. They should address pressing issues and offer practical solutions that can drive positive change in organizations and society.

By embodying these characteristics, business research topics can effectively address the complexities and challenges of the modern business environment, providing valuable insights for academic scholarship and practical application.

211 Business Topics For Research Paper

The Impact of Leadership Styles on Employee Motivation
Strategies for Managing Multicultural Teams Effectively
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Success
Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses on a Limited Budget
The Influence of Social Media Marketing on Consumer Behavior
Brand Loyalty: Factors Influencing Consumer Purchase Decisions
Ethical Considerations in Advertising Practices
Financial Risk Management in Multinational Corporations
Corporate Governance and Financial Performance
The Role of Financial Derivatives in Hedging Market Risks
Success Factors for Startups in Competitive Markets
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Key Drivers of Economic Growth
Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling a Business Globally
Ethical Dilemmas in Business Decision-Making
Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Brand Image
Balancing Profit Motives with Social and Environmental Concerns
The Business Case for Sustainability Initiatives
Renewable Energy Adoption in Businesses
Circular Economy Models and Business Sustainability
The Impact of Digital Technologies on Traditional Business Models
E-Commerce Trends and Consumer Preferences
Cybersecurity Challenges in E-Commerce Transactions
The Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace
Strategies for Promoting Gender Equality in Leadership Roles
Addressing Unconscious Bias in Recruitment Processes
The Impact of Remote Work on Employee Productivity
Flexible Work Arrangements and Work-Life Balance
The Role of Corporate Culture in Employee Engagement
Talent Management Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Top Talent
Performance Appraisal Systems: Best Practices and Challenges
Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Employee Training and Development Programs
Change Management Strategies for Organizational Transformation
Crisis Management and Business Continuity Planning
Supply Chain Resilience: Lessons Learned from Disruptions
Sustainable Sourcing Practices in Supply Chain Management
Inventory Management Strategies for Reducing Costs
Logistics Optimization for Efficient Operations
The Impact of Globalization on Supply Chain Networks
Strategic Alliances and Collaborative Partnerships in Business
Mergers and Acquisitions: Drivers and Challenges
Corporate Restructuring Strategies for Turnaround Success
The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Building Customer Trust
Reputation Management in the Digital Age
Crisis Communication Strategies for Managing Reputational Risks
Customer Relationship Management: Strategies for Enhancing Customer Loyalty
Personalization Techniques in Marketing and Customer Service
Omnichannel Retailing: Integrating Online and Offline Channels
The Future of Brick-and-Mortar Retail in the Digital Era
Pricing Strategies for Maximizing Profitability
Revenue Management Techniques in Hospitality Industry
Brand Extension Strategies and Brand Equity
Customer Experience Management: Best Practices and Trends
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business Operations
Machine Learning Applications in Marketing and Sales
Automation and Robotics in Manufacturing Processes
Blockchain Technology: Opportunities and Challenges for Businesses
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Marketing
Data Privacy and Security Concerns in the Digital Age
The Role of Big Data Analytics in Business Decision-Making
Predictive Analytics for Sales Forecasting and Demand Planning
Customer Segmentation Techniques for Targeted Marketing
The Influence of Cultural Factors on Consumer Behavior
Cross-Cultural Marketing Strategies for Global Brands
International Market Entry Strategies: Modes of Entry and Risks
Exporting vs. Foreign Direct Investment: Pros and Cons
Market Entry Strategies for Emerging Markets
The Impact of Political and Economic Factors on International Business
Foreign Exchange Risk Management Strategies
Cultural Intelligence and Global Leadership Effectiveness
The Role of Multinational Corporations in Economic Development
Corporate Governance Practices in Different Countries
Comparative Analysis of Business Laws and Regulations
Intellectual Property Rights Protection in Global Business
The Influence of Cultural Differences on Negotiation Styles
Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions: Legal and Cultural Challenges
International Trade Agreements and Their Impact on Businesses
The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Sustainable Development
Corporate Philanthropy and Social Impact Investing
Microfinance and Economic Empowerment of Women
Entrepreneurship Ecosystems and Innovation Hubs
Government Policies and Support for Small Businesses
Venture Capital Financing and Startup Growth
Crowdfunding Platforms: Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
Social Entrepreneurship: Business Models for Social Change
Innovation Clusters and Regional Economic Development
Angel Investors and Their Role in Startup Funding
Technology Incubators: Nurturing Startup Innovation
Intellectual Property Rights Protection for Startup Innovations
Business Model Innovation: Disrupting Traditional Industries
The Impact of Climate Change on Business Operations
Green Technologies and Sustainable Business Practices
Carbon Footprint Reduction Strategies for Businesses
Environmental Management Systems and Certification
Corporate Reporting on Environmental Performance
Circular Economy Business Models: Closing the Loop
Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices
The Role of Renewable Energy in Achieving Carbon Neutrality
Smart Cities and Sustainable Urban Development
Green Building Technologies and Sustainable Construction
The Influence of Cultural Factors on Entrepreneurship
Gender Differences in Entrepreneurial Intentions and Success
Social Capital and Networking for Entrepreneurial Ventures
Family Business Succession Planning and Governance
Corporate Entrepreneurship: Fostering Innovation Within Organizations
Franchising: Opportunities and Challenges for Entrepreneurs
Online Platforms and the Gig Economy
Digital Nomads: Remote Work and Entrepreneurship
The Sharing Economy: Business Models and Regulation
Blockchain Applications in Supply Chain Traceability
Cryptocurrency Adoption in Business Transactions
Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Tokenization of Assets
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Its Implications for Traditional Banking
Smart Contracts and Their Potential in Business Operations
Privacy-Preserving Technologies in Data Sharing
Cryptocurrency Exchanges: Regulation and Security Issues
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Monetary Policy
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Financial Services
Robo-Advisors and Algorithmic Trading in Wealth Management
Fintech Startups and Disruption in Traditional Banking
Peer-to-Peer Lending Platforms: Opportunities and Risks
Digital Identity Management Systems and Security
Regulatory Challenges in Fintech Innovation
Financial Inclusion and Access to Banking Services
Green Finance: Sustainable Investment Strategies
Socially Responsible Investing and ESG Criteria
Impact Investing: Financing Social and Environmental Projects
Microfinance Institutions and Poverty Alleviation
Financial Literacy Programs and Consumer Empowerment
Behavioral Finance: Understanding Investor Behavior
Risk Management Strategies for Financial Institutions
Corporate Fraud Detection and Prevention Measures
Financial Market Volatility and Risk Hedging Strategies
The Role of Central Banks in Monetary Policy Implementation
Financial Stability and Systemic Risk Management
Corporate Governance Practices in Banking Sector
Credit Risk Assessment Models and Default Prediction
Asset Allocation Strategies for Portfolio Diversification
Real Estate Investment Strategies for Wealth Accumulation
Commercial Property Valuation Methods
Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms: Opportunities for Investors
Property Management Best Practices for Rental Properties
Real Estate Development and Urban Planning
Mortgage Market Trends and Homeownership Rates
Affordable Housing Initiatives and Government Policies
The Impact of Interest Rates on Real Estate Investments
Sustainable Architecture and Green Building Design
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Tax Implications
The Influence of Demographic Trends on Housing Demand
Residential Property Flipping Strategies and Risks
Health and Wellness Tourism: Trends and Opportunities
Medical Tourism Destinations and Quality of Care
Wellness Retreats and Spa Resorts: Business Models
The Impact of Technology on Healthcare Delivery
Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring
Healthcare Data Security and Privacy Regulations
Healthcare Financing Models: Insurance vs. Out-of-Pocket
Value-Based Healthcare Delivery and Payment Models
Healthcare Workforce Challenges and Solutions
Healthcare Infrastructure Development in Emerging Markets
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Diagnosis
Precision Medicine: Personalized Treatment Approaches
Pharmaceutical Industry Trends and Drug Development
Biotechnology Innovations in Healthcare Solutions
Mental Health Awareness and Support Services
Telehealth Adoption and Patient Engagement
Chronic Disease Management Programs and Prevention
Health Information Exchange Platforms: Interoperability Challenges
Patient-Centered Care Models and Outcomes
The Influence of Healthcare Policies on Access to Care
Human Resource Management in the Hospitality Industry
Employee Training and Development in Tourism Sector
Quality Service Delivery in the Hotel Industry
Revenue Management Strategies for Hospitality Businesses
Destination Marketing and Tourism Promotion Campaigns
Sustainable Tourism Practices and Eco-Friendly Resorts
Technology Integration in Travel and Tourism Services
Cultural Heritage Tourism and Conservation Efforts
Adventure Tourism: Risks and Safety Measures
The Role of Online Travel Agencies in Tourism Distribution
Sustainable Transportation Solutions for Tourism
Food and Beverage Management in Hospitality Operations
Wellness Tourism: Trends and Market Segmentation
Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Market Dynamics
Wellness Retreats and Spas: Market Positioning Strategies
Community-Based Tourism Development Initiatives
Luxury Travel Market: Trends and Consumer Preferences
Aviation Industry Trends and Airline Marketing Strategies
Sustainable Event Management Practices
Convention and Exhibition Tourism: Economic Impact
Destination Management Organizations and Tourism Planning
Customer Relationship Management in the Tourism Sector
Online Reputation Management for Hospitality Businesses
Accessibility and Inclusivity in Tourism Infrastructure
Cultural Tourism: Heritage Preservation and Promotion
Agritourism: Farm-to-Table Experiences and Trends
The Impact of Climate Change on Tourism Destinations
Wildlife Tourism: Conservation and Responsible Practices
Wellness Tourism in Developing Countries: Challenges and Opportunities
The Role of Tour Operators in Sustainable Tourism Development
Virtual Reality Applications in Tourism Marketing
The Rise of Medical Tourism: Market Growth and Challenges
Responsible Travel and Ethical Tourism Practices
Event Marketing Strategies for Business Success
Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities in Event Management
Technology Integration in Event Planning and Execution
Event Risk Management and Contingency Planning
Corporate Event Planning: Trends and Best Practices
Trade Show Marketing Strategies for Exhibitors
Sports Event Management : From Planning to Execution
Sustainable Event Certification Programs and Standards

How To Prepare Research Paper?

Preparing a research paper involves several key steps, from selecting a topic to writing and formatting the final document. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to prepare a research paper:

Select a Topic: Choose a topic that interests you and aligns with the requirements of your assignment or research objectives. Consider the scope of the topic, its relevance, and the availability of resources for conducting research.
Conduct Background Research: Read up on books and studies that talk about the same things you want to research. This will help you see what people already know, find out where there are still things we don’t know, and make your research questions or ideas better.
Develop a Research Question or Thesis Statement: Formulate a clear and focused research question or thesis statement that guides your study. Your research question should be specific, relevant, and capable of being answered through empirical investigation.
Create an Outline: Organize your ideas and research findings into a logical structure by creating an outline for your research paper. Outline the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion sections, along with any subheadings or subsections.
Write the Introduction: Begin your research paper with an interesting introduction. Share some basic info about your topic, explain why your study is important, and clearly state what you’ll be focusing on in your research. The introduction should also outline the structure of the paper.
Review the Literature: Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature to provide context for your study, support your arguments, and identify gaps in existing research. Summarize key findings, theories, and methodologies from previous studies in your literature review.
Describe the Methodology: Clearly explain the research design, methods, and procedures used to collect and analyze data. Include details on the population/sample, data collection instruments, data analysis techniques, and any ethical considerations.
Present the Results: Report the findings of your study in a clear and concise manner. Use tables, graphs, or charts to present quantitative data, and provide descriptive analysis for qualitative data. Ensure that your results are relevant to your research question or thesis statement.
Discuss the Implications: Interpret the results of your study and discuss their implications that are for theory, practice, or policy. Analyze the strengths and limitations of your research, address any unexpected findings, and propose recommendations for future research or action.
Write the Conclusion: Summarize the key findings and contributions of your study in the conclusion section. Restate your research question or thesis statement, review the main points that you have discussed in the paper, and highlight the significance of your research in advancing knowledge in the field.
Revise and Edit: Review your research paper for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Ensure that your arguments are well-supported by evidence, your writing is concise and precise, and your paper follows the appropriate style and formatting guidelines.
Cite Sources: Acknowledge the contributions of other scholars by properly citing their work in your research paper. Use a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) and include a reference list or bibliography at the end of your paper.
Proofread: Carefully proofread your research paper to correct any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Pay attention to formatting details such as margins, font size, and line spacing to ensure consistency throughout the document.
Get Feedback: Seek feedback from peers, instructors, or mentors to improve the quality of your research paper. Consider their suggestions for revision and make appropriate changes to strengthen your arguments and clarify your writing.
Finalize the Paper: Make any final revisions or edits based on feedback and proofreading, and then finalize your research paper for submission. Double-check all formatting requirements and ensure that your paper is properly formatted and ready for submission.

Final Thoughts

Researching business topics offers a unique opportunity to delve into the complexities of the modern economy and explore innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

Whether you’re passionate about leadership, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, or corporate social responsibility, there’s a wealth of knowledge waiting to be discovered. So roll up your sleeves, sharpen your analytical skills, and get ready to make your mark in the world of business research! I hope you find the best and most relevant answer to business topics for research paper.

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470 Business Research Topics & Good Ideas

18 January 2024

last updated

Business research topics include a multi-faceted discipline, offering many intriguing themes. Some areas highlight concepts, like strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) study or political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental (PESTLE) analysis. Innovation and entrepreneurship topics explore how novel ideas can disrupt industries, focusing on startup culture, tech advancements, and societal impacts. Organizational behavior studies the human side of the business, covering employee motivation, leadership styles, and workplace culture. Finance and economics topics dissect fiscal decisions, market trends, investment strategies, financial risk management, and economic forecasting. These business research topics reflect the complexity of modern business operations, providing a rich background for academic inquiry and practical application.

Simple Business Research Topics

Influences on Consumer Spending
Green Initiatives in Small Businesses
Customer Loyalty Program Effectiveness
Remote Work vs. In-Person: Productivity Analysis
Digital Marketing vs. Traditional Advertising
Employee Motivation and Performance
Implications of Social Media for Business
Online Security and Customer Trust
Startup Success Factors
Importance of Organizational Culture
Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace
Balancing Ethics and Profitability
Exploring Retail vs. Online Shopping Preferences
Strategies for Effective Business Communication
Crowdfunding as a Business Finance Option
Disaster Preparedness in Business Operations
Freelancing and the Changing Work Landscape
Trends in Customer Service Technology
Businesses and Corporate Social Responsibility

Interesting Business Research Topics

Corporate Governance and Ethical Conduct
Sustainability Trends in Business Models
Decoding Consumer Behavior in E-Commerce
Digital Transformation in Traditional Businesses
Effectiveness of Branding Strategies
Future of Cryptocurrencies in Business
Impact of Automation on Employment
Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Innovation in Customer Retention Strategies
Virtual Reality and Its Business Applications
Analysis of Franchising vs. Startups
Influence of Celebrity Endorsements on Sales
Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management
Corporate Social Responsibility in the Fashion Industry
Machine Learning Applications in Business
Business Strategy in Gaming Industry
Green Marketing and Consumer Preferences
Economic Resilience in Small Businesses
Big Data in Decision-Making Process
The Intersection of Technology and Business Ethics

Business Research Topics for College Students

Exploring Business Startups in the Digital Age
Influential Factors in Consumer Buying Behavior
Correlation Between Corporate Culture and Employee Retention
Green Marketing Strategies and Sustainability
Disruption Caused by Digital Transformation in Businesses
Workplace Diversity and Organizational Success
Significance of Emotional Intelligence in Business Leadership
Social Media Marketing in Small-to-Medium Enterprises
Exploring Ethical Considerations in Advertising
Study of Successful Branding Strategies in Retail
Effects of Globalization on Local Businesses
Impacts of Automation on the Manufacturing Industry
Growth Strategies in Family-Owned Businesses
Customer Loyalty Programs and Consumer Behavior
Understanding the Role of AI in Business Operations
Strategies for Effective Crisis Management in Business
Intersection of Business Ethics and Profitability
Significance of Supply Chain Management in E-Commerce
Importance of Innovation in Sustaining Business Growth
Exploring the Economics of Renewable Energy Businesses

Business Research Topics for University

Incorporating Blockchain Technology in Business Processes
Effectiveness of Different Leadership Styles in Organizational Development
Digitalization and Its Influence on the Banking Sector
Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility in Modern Enterprises
Artificial Intelligence and Its Potential in Retail Industry
Evaluating the Success of Viral Marketing Strategies
Determining Factors in Venture Capital Decision-Making
Gender Equality in Leadership Positions: Case Studies
Merger and Acquisition Strategies in Competitive Business Landscapes
Augmented Reality: Potential Applications in Business
Data-Driven Decision Making: Benefits and Challenges
Understanding Cryptocurrency and Its Effects on E-Commerce
Exploration of Effective Time Management Techniques in Business
Influence of Work Environment on Employee Productivity
Business Strategy Development in an Era of Global Economic Changes
Determining the Factors Affecting Employee Job Satisfaction
Impact of Market Orientation on Business Performance
Online PR Management in the Age of Social Media
Sustainability and Profitability: Achieving a Balance in Business

Business Research Topics for Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Diverse Workforce: Implications for Organizational Success
Cybersecurity Practices in E-Commerce Businesses
Consumer Behavior Analysis in the Age of Digital Marketing
Globalization and Its Influence on Supply Chain Management
Corporate Governance: Case Studies of Successful Models
Applying Machine Learning to Financial Forecasting
Assessing the Efficiency of Inventory Management Systems
Examining the Effect of Organizational Culture on Innovation
Real Estate Market Analysis: Opportunities and Challenges
Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Challenges and Solutions
Entrepreneurship and Risk Management: A Detailed Analysis
Strategic Management in Non-Profit Organizations
Ethical Leadership and Corporate Success: A Correlation Study
Crisis Management Strategies in Hospitality Industry
Exploring Emerging Market Opportunities in E-Business
Project Management Efficiency in IT Industry
Influence of Branding on Consumer Purchase Decisions
Establishing Effective Communication Systems in Virtual Teams
Cross-Cultural Management in Multinational Companies

Small Business Research Topics

Small Business Survival: Strategies During Economic Recession
Growth Challenges Faced by Family Businesses
Sustainability Practices for Small-Scale Enterprises
Small Business Marketing in the Digital Age
Rural Small Businesses: Opportunities and Constraints
Exploring Innovation Capability of Micro Enterprises
Access to Finance for Small Businesses: A Case Study
E-Commerce Adoption by Small Retail Businesses
Franchising as a Growth Strategy for Small Businesses
Cross-Cultural Challenges in Small Business Management
Examining Business Succession in Small Family Firms
Barriers to Small Business Internationalization
Efficiency of Outsourcing in Small Business Operations
Exploring Business Ethics in Small Enterprises
Small Business Adaptation to Climate Change
Supply Chain Management in Small Manufacturing Businesses
Workforce Diversity in Small Business Environment
Influence of Organizational Culture on Small Businesses
Impact Assessment of Government Policies on Small Businesses
Small Businesses and Corporate Social Responsibility: Case Studies

Medium Business Research Topics

Medium-Sized Business Expansion: International Perspectives
Digital Transformation in Medium-Sized Businesses
Economic Sustainability of Medium-Scale Industries
Diversity and Inclusion Within Medium-Sized Enterprises
Supply Chain Optimization in Medium Business Operations
Green Business Practices for Medium Enterprises
Knowledge Management in Medium-Sized Companies
Succession Planning in Medium Family-Owned Firms
Financing Options for Medium Business Growth
Organizational Culture Shifts in Medium Businesses
Innovation Strategies of Medium-Sized Enterprises
Talent Management and Retention in Medium Firms
Examining Corporate Governance in Medium Enterprises
Mergers and Acquisitions in Medium-Sized Businesses
Medium-Sized Businesses and Global Market Entry
Cybersecurity Measures for Medium Business Enterprises
Public Policy Effects on Medium-Sized Businesses
Corporate Social Responsibility in Medium Enterprises
Strategic Planning in Medium Business Enterprises
Medium-Sized Enterprises in Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges

International Business Research Topics

Multicultural Leadership in Global Companies
Foreign Direct Investment Effects on Host Economies
Understanding International Business Negotiation Styles
Crisis Management in Global Corporations
International Financial Reporting Standards: A Comparative Study
Corporate Social Responsibility in Global Supply Chains
Global Innovation Clusters: Opportunities and Challenges
Mergers and Acquisitions in the Global Business Landscape
Expatriate Management and Success Factors in International Assignments
Emerging Markets and Their Significance in Global Business
International Business Strategies in Digital Era
International Human Resource Management Practices
Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges in Multinational Corporations
Political Risk Assessment for International Businesses
Corporate Governance Variations Across Different Countries
Foreign Market Entry Strategies: A Comparative Study
Economic Implications of Brexit on International Business
Exchange Rate Volatility and Its Effect on International Trade
Global Business Ethics: A Critical Analysis

Business-to-Business (B2B) Research Topics

Understanding the Value Proposition in B2B Markets
Digital Transformation Strategies in B2B Commerce
B2B Pricing Models: An Analytical Study
Influence of Social Media on B2B Relationships
Comparative Analysis of B2B and B2C Marketing Strategies
Trust and Relationship Building in B2B Sales
Customer Retention Tactics in B2B Marketplaces
Strategic Alliances in B2B Sectors: A Critical Analysis
B2B E-Commerce: Opportunities and Challenges
Personalization Techniques in B2B Marketing
Data-Driven Decision-Making in B2B Industries
Exploring B2B Content Marketing Strategies
Consumer Behavior Analysis in B2B Marketing
Corporate Social Responsibility in B2B Companies
B2B Sales Performance Metrics and Key Indicators
Adapting SEO Strategies for B2B Businesses
B2B Branding: Strategies and Best Practices
Innovation Management in B2B Sectors
Ethical Considerations in B2B Marketing
Cybersecurity Measures in B2B Organizations

Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Research Topics

Customer Experience Management in B2C Industries
Harnessing the Power of Social Media in B2C Marketing
Strategies for Building Trust in B2C E-Commerce
Influence of Artificial Intelligence on B2C Transactions
B2C Content Marketing: A Critical Analysis
Exploring Loyalty Programs in B2C Markets
Data Privacy and Security in B2C Digital Platforms
Mobile Marketing Strategies in B2C Businesses
Customer Journey Mapping in B2C Environments
Emerging B2C E-Commerce Trends and Their Implications
Personalization Techniques in B2C Marketing
Psychological Triggers in B2C Advertising: An Analysis
Analyzing Online Review Culture in B2C Markets
Comparative Study of B2C and B2B Marketing Tactics
Customer Relationship Management in B2C Companies
Sustainability Practices in B2C Businesses
Conversion Rate Optimization Techniques in B2C Marketing
B2C Branding: An Examination of Successful Strategies
Influence of Augmented Reality on B2C Shopping Experiences
Analyzing Customer Retention Strategies in B2C Industries

Modern Business Research Topics

Disruptive Innovations and Their Influence on Business Models
Cryptocurrency’s Place in Modern Business Transactions
Navigating the Implications of Remote Work for Businesses
Addressing Cybersecurity Concerns in the Era of Digital Business
Sustainability Strategies in Contemporary Business Practices
Artificial Intelligence and Its Contribution to Business Automation
Blockchain Technology’s Application in Modern Business Transactions
E-Commerce and Its Changing Face in Modern Business
Agile Management: A New Norm in Business Operations
Big Data Analytics: A Game Changer for Modern Business
Corporate Social Responsibility in Contemporary Business Ethics
Influence of Social Media Marketing on Modern Business
Digital Transformation Strategies in Modern Business Environments
Exploring the Gig Economy and Its Effect on Modern Business
Cloud Computing Adoption in Modern Business Infrastructure
Virtual Reality and Its Commercial Implications for Businesses
Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in Modern Corporate Culture
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Startup Valuation Methods: An In-Depth Analysis
Leadership Styles for Successful Startup Management
Strategic Funding Approaches for Emerging Startups
Survival Strategies: Navigating Startups Through Economic Downturns
Influence of Organizational Culture on Startup Success
Entrepreneurial Psychology: A Key to Startup Resilience
Investor-Startup Relations: A Critical Examination
Disruptive Startups: The Driving Force of Market Transformation
Crowdfunding as an Innovative Financing Model for Startups
Examining the Startup Ecosystem in Emerging Economies
Determining Factors for Startup Failure: A Comprehensive Study
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Gender Dynamics in Startup Leadership
Innovation Management Strategies in Tech Startups
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Frugal Innovation: An Emerging Trend in Startup Practices
Intellectual Property Rights in Startup Development
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Influence of Leadership Styles on Project Success
Techniques for Conflict Resolution in Project Management
Agile Project Management: Adaptation in Business Environments
Strategic Risk Assessment Techniques in Project Management
Efficacy of Project Management Software in Modern Business
Remote Project Management: Challenges and Solutions
Importance of Cross-Cultural Competence in International Project Management
Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Project Management Effectiveness
Sustainable Practices in Business Project Management
Project Portfolio Management: Optimization Techniques
Examining the Effects of Employee Motivation on Project Outcomes
Balancing Quality, Scope, and Budget in Project Management
Adapting Project Management Approaches for Small Businesses
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Organizational Behavior and Employee Satisfaction
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Human Resource Management: Strategies for Talent Retention
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Influence of Corporate Culture on Organizational Performance
Strategic Decision-Making in Dynamic Business Environments
AI Applications in Business Management
Sustainable Business Models for Green Enterprises
Examining Ethics in Corporate Governance
Improving Employee Productivity Through Workplace Design
The Efficiency of Remote Work in Business Administration
Social Entrepreneurship and Its Contribution to Society
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Corporate Social Responsibility: An Analysis of Its Effect on Brand Reputation
Change Management Techniques in Modern Enterprises
Influence of Organizational Structure on Innovation
Risk Management Strategies in Global Business Operations
SMEs and Their Adaptation to E-Commerce Platforms

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Strategic Pricing Mechanisms in the Global E-Commerce Market
Balancing Profitability and Sustainability: Green Initiatives in Modern Business Models
Network Effects and Digital Platform Economics: Unexplored Frontiers
Behavioral Economics in Corporate Decision-Making: A Deeper Insight
Examining Income Inequality: Corporate Pay Structures and Economic Implications
Artificial Intelligence, Automation, and Their Effect on Labor Markets
Investigating Market Power: A Study on Tech Giants and Antitrust Regulations
Economic Resilience in Supply Chain Management During Crises
Cryptocurrency Adoption and Its Transformative Influence on Business Transactions
Diverse Workforce Benefits: An Economic Perspective
Risks and Returns: Examining Stock Market Behavior for Corporate Investment Decisions
Unraveling Consumer Psychology: Neuromarketing and Purchasing Behavior
Operational Efficiency Through Lean Management: An Economic Analysis
Predictive Analytics in Strategic Business Planning: Current Landscape and Future Prospects
Corporate Social Responsibility and Its Economic Justifications
Revisiting Game Theory in Modern Business Negotiations
Adoption of Renewable Energy: Cost Implications and Profitability for Businesses
Knowledge Economy and Intellectual Property Rights: Striking a Balance
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Business Organizational Behavior Research Topics

Intricacies of Transformational Leadership: A Behavioral Approach
Cultural Diversity in Organizations: An Analysis of Communication Patterns
Ethical Decision-Making Processes in Contemporary Businesses
Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies and Their Influence on Organizational Cohesion
Application of Positive Psychology to Enhance Employee Well-Being in the Workplace
Examining Organizational Silence: Barriers to Open Communication and Their Repercussions
Emotional Intelligence as a Determinant of Leadership Success in Organizations
Workplace Motivation Strategies: An In-Depth Study of Non-Monetary Incentives
A Comparative Study of Hierarchical vs. Flat Organizational Structures
Remote Work and Organizational Culture: Analyzing the Shifts in Team Dynamics
Understanding the Influence of Job Design on Employee Satisfaction
Navigating Through Organizational Politics: A Study on Power and Influence
A Behavioral Analysis of Cross-Functional Team Dynamics in Businesses
Unpacking the Complexity of Knowledge Sharing in Multinational Corporations
Organizational Citizenship Behavior: A Study on Discretionary Workplace Behavior
Virtual Teams and Collaboration: Exploring Challenges and Solutions
Perceived Organizational Support and Employee Commitment: A Correlation Study
Interrogating the Relationship Between Workplace Stress and Employee Productivity
Mindfulness Practices in the Workplace: An Examination of Outcomes and Adoption Barriers
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Business Communication Research Topics

Harnessing the Power of Storytelling in Corporate Communication
Crisis Communication Strategies: A Critical Analysis of High-Profile Corporate Cases
Understanding the Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication in Virtual Teams
Exploring Non-Verbal Communication in Business Negotiations
Multimodal Communication in Business: Emerging Trends and Practices
Cross-Cultural Business Communication: Navigating Language and Cultural Barriers
Communication Clarity and Its Effect on Organizational Decision Making
Influence of Organizational Structure on Internal Communication Mechanisms
Leadership Communication Styles and Employee Engagement: A Correlation Study
Privacy and Security Concerns in Corporate Digital Communication
Addressing Workplace Miscommunication: Strategic Tools and Techniques
Corporate Communication in Mergers and Acquisitions: Challenges and Best Practices
Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Business Communication Processes
Visual Communication in Business: An Analysis of Infographics and Data Visualization
Analyzing Gender Differences in Business Communication Styles
Exploring Ethics in Business Communication: A Review of Best Practices
Corporate Apologies and Public Relations: Crafting Effective Messages
Investigating the Adoption and Use of Chatbots in Customer Communication
Employee Perception of Top-Down Communication in Hierarchical Organizations

Business Economics Research Topics

Macroeconomic Indicators and Their Influence on Business Investment Decisions
Exploring Economic Policies: Implications for Small Business Growth
Consumer Behavior in Digital Markets: An Economic Analysis
Economic Resilience: A Study on Businesses Adapting to Climate Change
Collaborative Economy and Business Models: A Paradigm Shift
Foreign Direct Investment and Its Effect on Domestic Industries
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain: A New Frontier in Business Economics
Market Structures and Pricing Strategies: A Comparative Analysis
A Deep Dive Into Global Trade Dynamics: Business Opportunities and Challenges
Analyzing Economic Cycles: Business Strategies for Volatile Economies
Inequality in Wealth Distribution: Examining Corporate Compensation Policies
Sustainable Development: Business Practices and Economic Implications
Dynamic Pricing in Online Retail: An Economic Perspective
Microfinance and Entrepreneurship: Opportunities and Economic Challenges
Econometrics in Business: Advanced Methods for Decision Making
Corporate Governance and Economic Efficiency: A Cross-Industry Study
Intellectual Property Rights in a Digital Age: Economic and Business Perspectives
Inflation Dynamics and Business Strategy: Navigating Economic Instability
Business Strategies in Emerging Economies: Opportunities and Risks
Merger and Acquisition Trends in the Global Economy: A Business Perspective

International Economics and Business Research Topics

International Trade Agreements and Their Implications for Domestic Businesses
Financial Market Integration and Business Opportunities in Emerging Economies
Trends in Foreign Direct Investment: Business Strategies and Policy Implications
Navigating Exchange Rate Fluctuations: A Guide for Multinational Enterprises
Cultural Considerations in International Business: A Comparative Study
Understanding the Intricacies of International Monetary Systems and Their Effect on Business
Globalization and Its Effect on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Climate Change Policies and International Business: Challenges and Opportunities
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Digitalization of Global Trade: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges
International Tax Policies and Corporate Profit Shifting: A Global Perspective
Brexit: Consequences and Challenges for International Business and Economics
Global Value Chains and Business Models: Dynamics and Shifts
Technology Transfer in International Joint Ventures: An Economic Perspective
Global Economic Governance: Understanding WTO Policies and Implications
Sustainable Development Goals and International Business: Synergies and Conflicts
Investigating Global Inequality: Business Practices and Economic Implications
Strategic Business Alliances in the International Marketplace: A Comparative Study
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Financial Decision-Making in Startups: A Comparative Analysis
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Fintech Disruption: Transformation of Traditional Business Finance
Behavioral Finance and Corporate Investment Decisions: A Deeper Insight
Risk Management in Global Financial Markets: Strategies for Businesses
Impact of Merger and Acquisition Activity on Corporate Financial Health
Sustainable Finance and Green Investments: Business Strategies and Outcomes
Exploring the Influence of Corporate Governance on Financial Performance
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Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Modern Marketing Strategies
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Experiential Marketing: A Study on Creating Memorable Customer Experiences
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Interpreting Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Era
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Understanding Contract Law in International Business Transactions
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Investigating Data Privacy Laws in Online Businesses
Tax Evasion and Corporate Law: An Analysis of Legal Repercussions
Exploring Antitrust Laws in Global Business Practices
Banking Law and Financial Regulation: Implications for Businesses
Cyber Law and E-Commerce: Legal Challenges and Solutions
Legal Dimensions of Environmental Sustainability in Business
Examining Employment Laws in Gig Economy
Adapting Trademark Laws for Brand Protection in the Digital Age
International Trade Law and Its Influence on Business Practices
Legal Aspects of Corporate Restructuring: A Comprehensive Analysis
Comparative Analysis of Consumer Protection Laws in E-Commerce

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Tax Compliance and Corporate Governance: An Analytical Study
Exploring the Implications of International Tax Treaties on Businesses
Understanding the Effects of Value-Added Tax on Consumer Behavior
Corporate Tax Planning Strategies: A Comparative Analysis
Navigating Taxation in E-Commerce: Opportunities and Challenges
Investigating the Impact of Carbon Taxes on Corporate Sustainability Strategies
Effect of Transfer Pricing on Multinational Corporation Taxation
Small Business Taxation: A Study on Policy Impact and Compliance
Cryptocurrency and Taxation: Unveiling the Legal and Financial Implications
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Indirect Taxes and Their Effect on Business Operations
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Evaluating the Impact of Payroll Taxes on SMEs
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Effect of Double Taxation Treaties on International Business Operations
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The past, present, and future of innovation research

Published: 06 June 2020
Volume 31 , pages 187–198, ( 2020 )

Cite this article

Byung Cheol Lee ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5353-8056 1 ,
Christine Moorman 2 ,
C. Page Moreau 3 ,
Andrew T. Stephen 4 &
Donald R. Lehmann 1

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The goal of a business is to enhance profitable revenue. Often this mission is accomplished by innovation, commonly by the process of bringing new products or services to market. This paper identifies major trends in the literature and practice and provides a perspective on how these trends may guide future research on innovation. Specifically, we document six themes that have appeared in research on the innovation process and discuss how scholars have developed ways to measure, predict, and explain each of these processes. Lastly, we offer our perspectives on future research topics on innovation reflecting on the impact of technological advancements.

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Science and Innovation

Thinking Innovatively About Innovation Research

Innovation Concepts and Processes

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Lee, B.C., Moorman, C., Moreau, C.P. et al. The past, present, and future of innovation research. Mark Lett 31 , 187–198 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11002-020-09528-6

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An analysis of the effect of employee financial literacy on decision-making in manufacturing start-ups in Ghana
Assessing the impact of corporate green innovation on financial performance in listed companies in Estonia
Assessing the effect of corporate governance on financial performance in the mining industry in Papua New Guinea
An evaluation of financial risk management practices in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia
Exploring the role of leadership financial literacy in the transition from start-up to scale-up in the retail e-commerce industry.
A review of influential macroeconomic factors on the adoption of cryptocurrencies as legal tender
An examination of the use of financial derivatives in risk management
Exploring the impact of the cryptocurrency disruption on stock trading practices in the EU
An analysis of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in academic publishing houses
A comparison of financial ratios performance in evaluating E-commerce startups in South Korea.
An evaluation of the role of government policies in facilitating manufacturing companies’ successful transitioning from start-up to scale-ups in Denmark
Assessing the financial value associated with industry 4.0 transitions in the Indian pharmaceutical industry
Exploring the role of effective e-leadership on financial performance in the Nigerian fintech industry
A review of digital disruptions in CRM practices and their associated financial impact on listed companies during the Covid-19 pandemic
Exploring the importance of Sharia-based business practices on SME financial performance in multicultural countries

Free Webinar: How To Find A Dissertation Research Topic

Ideas: Operations Management

An assessment of the impact of blockchain technology on operations management practices in the transport industry of Estonia
An evaluation of supply chain disruption management strategies and their impact on business performance in Lithuania
Exploring the role of lean manufacturing in the automotive industry of Malaysia and its effects on improving operational efficiency
A critical review of optimal operations management strategies in luxury goods manufacturing for ensuring supply chain resilience
Exploring the role of globalization on Supply chain diversification, a pre/post analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic
An analysis of the relationship between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription-based business models
Assessing the cost of sustainable sourcing practices on operations management and supply chain resilience in the Cocao industry.
An examination of the adoption of behavioural predictive analytics in operations management practices, a case study of the
Italian automotive industry
Exploring the effect of operational complexity on business performance following digital transformation
An evaluation of barriers to the implementation of agile methods in project management within governmental institutions
Assessing how the relationship between operational processes and business strategy change as companies transition from start-ups to scale-ups
Exploring the relationship between operational management and innovative business models, lessons from the fintech industry
A review of best practices for operations management facilitating the transition towards a circular economy in the fast food industry
Exploring the viability of lean manufacturing practices in Vietnam’s plastics industry
Assessing engagement in cybersecurity considerations associated with operations management practices in industry 4.0 manufacturing

Research Topic Kickstarter - Need Help Finding A Research Topic?

Topics & Ideas: International Business

The impact of cultural differences in communication on international business relationships
An evaluation of the role of government import and export policies in shaping international business practices
The effect of global shipping conditions on international business strategies
An analysis of the challenges of managing multinational corporations: branch management
The influence of social media marketing on international business operations
The role of international trade agreements on business activities in developing countries
An examination of the impact of currency fluctuations on international business and cost competitiveness
The relationship between international business and sustainable development: perspectives and benefits
An evaluation of the challenges and opportunities of doing business in emerging markets such as the renewable energy industry
An analysis of the role of internationalisation via strategic alliances in international business
The impact of cross-cultural management on international business performance
The effect of political instability on international business operations: A case study of Russia
An analysis of the role of intellectual property rights in an international technology company’s business strategies
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and international business strategy: a comparative study of different industries
The impact of technology on international business in the fashion industry

Topics & Ideas: Leadership

A comparative study of the impact of different leadership styles on organizational performance
An evaluation of transformational leadership in today’s non-profit organizations
The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and productivity
An analysis of the relationship between leadership style and employee motivation
The influence of diversity and inclusion on leadership practices in South Africa
The impact of Artificial Intelligence technology on leadership in the digital age
An examination of the challenges of leadership in a rapidly changing business environment: examples from the finance industry
The relationship between leadership and corporate culture and job satisfaction
An evaluation of the role of transformational leadership in strategic decision-making
The use of leadership development programs in enhancing leadership effectiveness in multinational organisations
The impact of ethical leadership on organizational trust and reputation: an empirical study
An analysis of the relationship between various leadership styles and employee well-being in healthcare organizations
The role of leadership in promoting good work-life balance and job satisfaction in the age of remote work
The influence of leadership on knowledge sharing and innovation in the technology industry
An investigation of the impact of cultural intelligence on cross-cultural leadership effectiveness in global organizations

Business/Management Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a business-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various management-related degree programs (e.g., MBAs, DBAs, etc.) to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

Sustaining Microbreweries Beyond 5 Years (Yanez, 2022)
Perceived Stakeholder and Stockholder Views: A Comparison Among Accounting Students, Non-Accounting Business Students And Non-Business Students (Shajan, 2020)
Attitudes Toward Corporate Social Responsibility and the New Ecological Paradigm among Business Students in Southern California (Barullas, 2020)
Entrepreneurial opportunity alertness in small business: a narrative research study exploring established small business founders’ experience with opportunity alertness in an evolving economic landscape in the Southeastern United States (Hughes, 2019)
Work-Integrated Learning in Closing Skills Gap in Public Procurement: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study (Culver, 2021)
Analyzing the Drivers and Barriers to Green Business Practices for Small and Medium Enterprises in Ohio (Purwandani, 2020)
The Role of Executive Business Travel in a Virtual World (Gale, 2022)
Outsourcing Security and International Corporate Responsibility: A Critical Analysis of Private Military Companies (PMCs) and Human Rights Violations (Hawkins, 2022)
Lean-excellence business management for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Kurdistan region of Iraq (Mohammad, 2021)
Science Data Sharing: Applying a Disruptive Technology Platform Business Model (Edwards, 2022)
Impact of Hurricanes on Small Construction Business and Their Recovery (Sahu, 2022)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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Effect of Leadership, computerized accounting systems, risk management and monitoring on the quality of financial Reports among listed banks

May you assist on a possible PhD topic on analyzing economic behaviours within environmental, climate and energy domains, from a gender perspective. I seek to further investigate if/to which extent policies in these domains can be deemed economically unfair from a gender perspective, and whether the effectiveness of the policies can be increased while striving for inequalities not being perpetuated.

healthy work environment and employee diversity, technological innovations and their role in management practices, cultural difference affecting advertising, honesty as a company policy, an analysis of the relationships between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription based business model,business corruption cases. That I was selected from the above topics.

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Innovation Areas

Browse innovation resources by topic, from idea generation to innovation management.

Emerging Trends and Future Foresight

Involves identifying and analyzing emerging trends and future possibilities in innovation.

Sustainability and Environmental Innovation

Focuses on innovation aimed at environmental sustainability and green practices.

Change Management and Adoption

Deals with the processes of implementing innovation within organizations and ensuring its adoption.

Collaboration and Co-Creation

Pertains to the collaborative aspects of innovation, including working with external partners and customers.

Innovation Metrics and Measurement

Involves the assessment and tracking of innovation performance and impact.

Market and Customer Insights

Focuses on understanding market trends, customer needs, and feedback for guiding innovation efforts.

Research and Development (R&D)

Includes terms related to the systematic investigation and development of new products, services, or processes.

Entrepreneurship and Startups

Related to the process of starting new businesses and fostering entrepreneurial spirit for innovation.

Innovation Leadership and Culture

Covers aspects of leading innovation initiatives and building a culture that supports creative thinking and innovation.

Creative Processes and Design Thinking

Involves methodologies and techniques for generating innovative ideas and solutions.

Technology and Digital Innovation

Focuses on the role of technology and digital tools in driving and facilitating innovation.

Organizational Innovation

Deals with the ways in which organizations structure and orient themselves to foster and support innovation.

Product and Service Innovation

Pertains to the development of new or improved products and services, including methodologies and lifecycle management.

Innovation Management

This area focuses on strategies, processes, and tools for managing innovation within organizations.

Innovation Strategies

Encompasses various approaches and frameworks used to guide and drive innovation efforts.

Innovation Types

Different classifications and forms of innovation, such as incremental, radical, disruptive, and more. Innovation can be approached from many different angles. Do you want to create a new strategy for your company, innovate your products or research for the next disruptive innovation?

Innovation Process

Steps and stages involved in the innovation journey, from idea generation to implementation and evaluation. What is the innovation process? Each step in the process requires a different mindset, different methods and different innovation tools. Check out what resources can help you in this moment and in the future.

Innovation Learnings

Insights and lessons learned from innovation practices, including successes, failures, and continuous improvement strategies. What great insights do you need to understand innovation? Before applying specific innovation tools, check out this section with tips on how to innovate and great examples.

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Innovation in Business: What It Is & Why It’s So Important

Business professionals pursuing innovation in the workplace

08 Mar 2022

Today’s competitive landscape heavily relies on innovation. Business leaders must constantly look for new ways to innovate because you can't solve many problems with old solutions.

Innovation is critical across all industries; however, it's important to avoid using it as a buzzword and instead take time to thoroughly understand the innovation process.

Here's an overview of innovation in business, why it's important, and how you can encourage it in the workplace.

What Is Innovation?

Innovation and creativity are often used synonymously. While similar, they're not the same. Using creativity in business is important because it fosters unique ideas. This novelty is a key component of innovation.

For an idea to be innovative, it must also be useful. Creative ideas don't always lead to innovations because they don't necessarily produce viable solutions to problems.

Simply put: Innovation is a product, service, business model, or strategy that's both novel and useful. Innovations don't have to be major breakthroughs in technology or new business models; they can be as simple as upgrades to a company's customer service or features added to an existing product.

Access your free e-book today.

Types of Innovation

Innovation in business can be grouped into two categories : sustaining and disruptive.

Sustaining innovation: Sustaining innovation enhances an organization's processes and technologies to improve its product line for an existing customer base. It's typically pursued by incumbent businesses that want to stay atop their market.
Disruptive innovation: Disruptive innovation occurs when smaller companies challenge larger businesses. It can be classified into groups depending on the markets those businesses compete in. Low-end disruption refers to companies entering and claiming a segment at the bottom of an existing market, while new-market disruption denotes companies creating an additional market segment to serve a customer base the existing market doesn't reach.

The most successful companies incorporate both types of innovation into their business strategies. While maintaining an existing position in the market is important, pursuing growth is essential to being competitive. It also helps protect a business against other companies affecting its standing.

Learn about the differences between sustaining and disruptive innovation in the video below, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more explainer content!

The Importance of Innovation

Unforeseen challenges are inevitable in business. Innovation can help you stay ahead of the curve and grow your company in the process. Here are three reasons innovation is crucial for your business:

It allows adaptability: The recent COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business on a monumental scale. Routine operations were rendered obsolete over the course of a few months. Many businesses still sustain negative results from this world shift because they’ve stuck to the status quo. Innovation is often necessary for companies to adapt and overcome the challenges of change.
It fosters growth: Stagnation can be extremely detrimental to your business. Achieving organizational and economic growth through innovation is key to staying afloat in today’s highly competitive world.
It separates businesses from their competition: Most industries are populated with multiple competitors offering similar products or services. Innovation can distinguish your business from others.

Design Thinking and Innovation | Uncover creative solutions to your business problems | Learn More

Innovation & Design Thinking

Several tools encourage innovation in the workplace. For example, when a problem’s cause is difficult to pinpoint, you can turn to approaches like creative problem-solving . One of the best approaches to innovation is adopting a design thinking mentality.

Design thinking is a solutions-based, human-centric mindset. It's a practical way to strategize and design using insights from observations and research.

Four Phases of Innovation

Innovation's requirements for novelty and usefulness call for navigating between concrete and abstract thinking. Introducing structure to innovation can guide this process.

In the online course Design Thinking and Innovation , Harvard Business School Dean Srikant Datar teaches design thinking principles using a four-phase innovation framework : clarify, ideate, develop, and implement.

Four phases of design thinking: clarify, ideate, develop, and implement

Clarify: The first stage of the process is clarifying a problem. This involves conducting research to empathize with your target audience. The goal is to identify their key pain points and frame the problem in a way that allows you to solve it.
Ideate: The ideation stage involves generating ideas to solve the problem identified during research. Ideation challenges assumptions and overcomes biases to produce innovative ideas.
Develop: The development stage involves exploring solutions generated during ideation. It emphasizes rapid prototyping to answer questions about a solution's practicality and effectiveness.
Implement: The final stage of the process is implementation. This stage involves communicating your developed idea to stakeholders to encourage its adoption.

Human-Centered Design

Innovation requires considering user needs. Design thinking promotes empathy by fostering human-centered design , which addresses explicit pain points and latent needs identified during innovation’s clarification stage.

There are three characteristics of human-centered design:

Desirability: For a product or service to succeed, people must want it. Prosperous innovations are attractive to consumers and meet their needs.
Feasibility: Innovative ideas won't go anywhere unless you have the resources to pursue them. You must consider whether ideas are possible given technological, economic, or regulatory barriers.
Viability: Even if a design is desirable and feasible, it also needs to be sustainable. You must consistently produce or deliver designs over extended periods for them to be viable.

Consider these characteristics when problem-solving, as each is necessary for successful innovation.

The Operational and Innovative Worlds

Creativity and idea generation are vital to innovation, but you may encounter situations in which pursuing an idea isn't feasible. Such scenarios represent a conflict between the innovative and operational worlds.

The Operational World

The operational world reflects an organization's routine processes and procedures. Metrics and results are prioritized, and creativity isn't encouraged to the extent required for innovation. Endeavors that disrupt routine—such as risk-taking—are typically discouraged.

The Innovative World

The innovative world encourages creativity and experimentation. This side of business allows for open-endedly exploring ideas but tends to neglect the functional side.

Both worlds are necessary for innovation, as creativity must be grounded in reality. You should strive to balance them to produce human-centered solutions. Design thinking strikes this balance by guiding you between the concrete and abstract.

Which HBS Online Entrepreneurship and Innovation Course is Right for You? | Download Your Free Flowchart

Learning the Ropes of Innovation

Innovation is easier said than done. It often requires you to collaborate with others, overcome resistance from stakeholders, and invest valuable time and resources into generating solutions. It can also be highly discouraging because many ideas generated during ideation may not go anywhere. But the end result can make the difference between your organization's success or failure.

The good news is that innovation can be learned. If you're interested in more effectively innovating, consider taking an online innovation course. Receiving practical guidance can increase your skills and teach you how to approach problem-solving with a human-centered mentality.

Eager to learn more about innovation? Explore Design Thinking and Innovation ,one of our online entrepreneurship and innovation courses. If you're not sure which course is the right fit, download our free course flowchart to determine which best aligns with your goals.

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Entrepreneurship & Innovation THESIS AND RESEARCH TOPICS

Entrepreneurship and innovation research topics ignite business evolution, from novel concepts to market disruptions, shaping entrepreneurial mindsets and propelling industries into the future. View all of our entrepreneurship and innovation thesis topics below.

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Overview of Entrepreneurship & Innovation topics for a thesis project

Find entrepreneurship and innovation research topics and themes in go-to-market strategies, business ventures, creative problem-solving, innovation culture, market disruption, and much more! Start your entrepreneurial thesis journey here.

IT University of Copenhagen
Master of Science
Spring 2024

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Service Design

Prototyping

Collaborate with Four Designers for Your Next Challenge

Get fresh perspectives and practical solutions in service design and UX/UI

Let us explore your challenge through design. Hello there! We are a team of four ambitious students from ITU's Digital Design program, gearing up to go on our thesis journey this spring. Throughout our studies, we have developed our expertise in UX/UI and service design. This means we possess the tools to take a holistic view of processes and services and also to craft practical solutions. And now we are looking for interesting cases. The outcome of our collaboration could range from proto...

1 x MSc in Digital Design and Interactive Technologies

Copenhagen Business School
Spring 2023

Co-creation

Desing Thinking

Co-creation of innovation between companies and start-ups

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

We are interested in researching the connection between startups and companies and how this collaboration process can bring value to both companies and startups. We would like to explore what the process looks like and how it can be optimized. We are also curious to research how long-term partnerships can be established. The companies we are interested in collaborating with have collaborated on a solution with a startup or companies that mediate this connection. ...

1 x Organizational Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Startup Ecosystem

Entrepreneurship

Business Processes

Collaboration

Role of your company in terms of innovation and the start-up ecosystem

Innovation and entrepreneurship

We are interested in researching how is your company involved in the startup ecosystem. In case you are a startup, we are curious to hear about your journey and look into your past or current challenges and how can we use theory in innovation and entrepreneurship to develop a framework for solving the challenges. In case you are an established company, we would like to hear about how you engage with innovation, internally or externally. In case you are an incubator, accelerator or innovation man...

Spring 2022

Open Innovation

International

Co-Creation

Cultural influence

Performance

Co-Creation Practices in Open Innovation

Is there a cultural influence on co-creation practices between international companies?

The purpose of this study is to assess if within the open innovation field, cultural differences might influence co-creation practices. The last couple of decades, Open Innovation (OI) has become an important topic for firms who wish to effectively access flows of knowledge. However, even though OI is of high importance, we found out that it has not received enough attention in the academic literature, especially within Scandinavia. For that reason, this thesis will be primarily focused on Open ...

1 x International Business

Sustainability

Business Model Design

Stakeholders

Sustainable Business Model Innovation in the textile industry

Drivers & Barriers for Sustainable Business Model Innovation

Broadly my thesis will explore the process of how companies in the textile industry are transforming into more sustainable practices, business models, and strategies. I am particularly interested in the drivers and barriers to creating Sustainable Business Model Innovation. This includes, but is not limited to, the strategic focus and governance, how the internal organization can be designed to create patient investments, enabling innovation and collaborative innovation, internal capabilit...

1 x Cand.merc. i Erhvervsøkonomi (Finance and Strategic Management)

Process Automation

Knowledge value

Digital Innovation

Organizational change

The Value of Digital Automation

The Value of Business Process Automation

I am still in the process of scoping the thesis, and I am currently working on some of the administrative tasks of getting an academic supervisor. However, I have the following ideas for the project:Preliminary problem statement:How do you gain the most value possible in digital automation projects such as (either RPA or BPA) and how do you measure it?The notion of value is in this regard questioned in how to measure value. I would like to research both the technical aspects of automation and th...

1 x IT Management

digital health

digitalization

pharmaceutical

Digital health in the pharmaceutical industry

Create a digital strategy through implementation of a digital platform to support a company's portofolio

The main goal of the project is to build a strategy for a chosen pharmaceutical company on how to implement a digital platform/app to enhance its existing product portfolio. The pharmaceutical industry has a revenue model, which is highly dependent on the reimbursement agreements with the governments, which only now are, starting to implement reimbursements on digital health solutions. Some countries are exploring this such as Germany (made possible by the German Digital Healthcare Act, DVG) or ...

1 x Management of Innovation and Business Development

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212 Innovation Ideas to Write about & Innovation Research Topics

🏆 best essay topics on innovation, ✍️ innovation essay topics for college, 👍 good innovation research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot innovation ideas to write about, 📌 easy innovation essay topics, 🎓 most interesting innovation research titles, ❓ research questions about innovation.

Relationship Between Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Freshippo Company’s Innovation and Technology-Driven Business Model
The Aravind Eye Care System’s Innovation Process
Nursing Change Theory and the Diffusion of Innovation Model
Kodak: Operations and Innovations Management
3M Corporation’s Innovation and Project Management
Emirates Airlines’ Innovations Use and Management
Innovation and Product Development for Nokia Nokia is a global company specialized in communication technologies. For Nokia, the “art” of entrepreneurship can be defined as a unique vision of reality and the world around us.
Microsoft Corporation: Lack of Innovation Lack of change at Microsoft contributes to the poor performance of the company’s smartphone. Microsoft’s Windows Phone operates on a system that does not support many applications.
P&G and Unilever Open Innovation Case Study Open innovation is considered to be an idea which companies can follow to bring together both internal and external ideas and generate ways of bringing new and better changes.
Virgin Group Case: Creativity and Innovation This paper is a case study on Virgin Group, a multinational conglomerate uniting 60 businesses operating in different sectors of the economy.
The Impact of Organizational Culture on Innovation Management This paper investigates the state of organizational culture at Turkish Airlines, which provides an opportunity to assess its impact on innovation management.
Nestle Company: Strategy Enterprise and Innovation This paper proposes strategic and innovation options for Nestle which can boost the company’s core competencies and quickly evaluate the performance of its products.
Zara Company’s Innovation and Distinctive Features Zara and the Inditex Group are characterized by the combination of the quality and affordable prices for the latest fashion trends.
Saudi Aramco Company’s Innovation and Technological Performance The integration of technology and innovation into the Saudi Aramco company’s performance plays a pivotal role in gaining a competitive advantage.
Creativity and Innovation in Business Creativity drives human innovation. Innovation makes possible for different companies to come up with new products and guides firms to improve their processes.
Diagnodent as a Caries Detector: Innovation or Failure The causes of neglected caries can vary from fear of visiting the doctor to merely failing to realize that there can be a problem – at its earliest stage, caries can hardly be detected.
Recent Matters of SDGs Related to Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure This paper will discuss current Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) issues related to Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
Innovation as a Contemporary Issue in Business Currently, many organization managers are very scared about the turbulent times in the business world. This fear has often been an obstacle to innovation.
Apple Inc.’s Strategic Leadership and Innovation Heracleous and Papachroni explore strategic leadership and innovation at Apple, Inc., performed by Steve Jobs, a founder of the organization.
Management of Technology Innovations Technology advancements have been made in every sector of business and managers have a task to comprehend the technological innovations and how they affect business operations.
Successful Innovation in Toyota’s Market Industry Toyota’s market industry is the automotive sector, which is one of the most competitive industries. There are inquiries about Toyota in its commitment to a culture of innovation.
Management Innovation: Netflix Case Study This paper aims at identifying how to improve the competitive landscape of Netflix and shift the way of working towards the one that spurs innovation.
Amazon.com: Innovation Strategy Internet companies, like Amazon, build their business strategies on continuous involvement in innovative solutions that allow for creating sustainable competitive advantages.
ABC Consulting Organization’s Innovation This paper highlights organizational cultural aspects that tend to create and enhance the level of innovation by considering the ABC Consulting case study.
Creativity and Innovation Analysis The study explores the innovation as a key driving force of entrepreneurship and the creativity as a key for an individual to innovate.
Tesla Inc.’s Design for Agility and Innovation The paper examines fundamental problems impacting Tesla Inc’s effectiveness, including contemporary trends in organizational design, and effective corporate structure.
Innovation in Organizations: Ryan Air This essay will highlight how Ryan Air has been able to come up with creative innovations, execute them, and therefore benefit from them.
Disruptive Technological Innovations in the Business World In the business world, the main objective of technology innovations is to ensure that there is the generation of new companies, and increment of assets and shareholders returns.
Food and Drink Industry’s Innovation and Barriers The paper provides the reasons that influence the need to innovate in the industry and the barriers that stop innovation from taking place.
Applying Diffusion of Innovation Theory to Intervention Development: Article Critique This paper identifies the fourth principle as the most important concept to consider in the Ebola public health campaign.
Southwest Airlines – Impact of Innovation and Technology Management Aviation has experienced multiple challenges over the past decade due to economic, political environmental, and sociocultural issues, the pandemic having been one of the major causes.
Apple and Samsung Firms’ Technology Innovation Apple, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd are in a business struggle that began in 2010. Both businesses are continually converging and changing from a business model standpoint.
Principles of Innovation and Entrepreneurship A business incubator connotes a group that is informally or formally organized to provide entrepreneurial ventures with the resources regarded as critical in their journey.
Apple Company’s Innovations and Marketing Mix This research examines Apple’s life-changing innovation in products and its principal marketing mix that led the corporation to international success.
Food Innovation: Ayran Yogurt in the Scandinavian Market This study researches the suitability of Ayran yogurt product and how to introduce it as a healthy alternative to soft drinks in the Scandinavian market.
IBM Company’s Leadership and Innovation Management IBM through the newly appointed CEO took the initiative of making the company employees realize the importance of treating customers as kings.
Louvre and Abu Dhabi Museums’ Design Innovation Abu Dhabi museums must become highly innovative to drive their green building efforts. Innovative practices are vital for museums toward enhancing their sustainability agenda.
Carlo Rino Innovation Assessment Carlo Rino is a successful business, but recently it discovered the need for urgent innovation. At the moment, the company sells its products only in Italy, bringing losses of profit.
Creativity, Design, and Innovations Creativity, design, and innovation are closely related, despite the plurality of their definitions and differences in the constituent components.
Internet as a Revolutionary Innovation One of the major discoveries is the Internet, which over 50% of the global population uses on daily basis. The microwave is another technological innovation.
Proposal for Sustainable Innovation Strategies Proposal for sustainable innovation strategies’ research question seeks to answer how the government can enhance sustainable innovation strategies.
Biomedical Technology and Innovation Issues Biomedical engineers at WPI have found a way to use spinach leaves to grow functioning human heart muscle, potentially solving a long-standing problem of repairing damaged organs.
Nypro Company’s Innovation Management Nypro adopted various techniques in establishing its internal functioning that includes the use of top performers, staff training, performance-based incentives, and collaborations.
Payment Innovations in Modern Life A survey conducted by Ipsos Research commissioned by PayPal showed that shopping over the internet was about 87% for those who shop online once per month.
Evaluation Approach for Improving Education, Training, and Innovation Development in children’s learning is a priority. This paper analyzes the different approaches to teaching methods and the key features of each.
Diffusion of Innovations Theory in Public Health The selected injury prevention intervention is alcohol and drug addiction education, an innovation that can combine several steps of intervention and different programs.
Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory DOI is one of the oldest social science theories and is still being used extensively by various organizations.
Financial Innovation: Achievements and Prospects The last twenty years have witnessed several innovations which have made several implications to the financial sector.
Apple Inc.’s Change and Innovation The theory of Business Model Innovation (BMI) discusses the creation and reinvention of a business model in the decade of globalization and in more recent times, that of recession.
Diffusion of Innovation Theory and Its Application Innovations help people to achieve results in the areas of their interests. The current implementation of the concepts is more practice-related rather than theoretical.
Cirque du Soleil: Innovations and Opportunities This paper will evaluate the drivers of innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities that have contributed to Cirque du Soleil’s success.
Farming Business Innovations: Urban Cultivator and Tree-T-Pee The urban cultivator is an alternative that reduces complications of foul weather or stale herbs and micro greens. Cost-efficient Tree-T-Pee, revolutionizes farming businesses.
Walmart Company Innovations in Supply Chain Management Over the course of the last two decades, Wal-Mart has emerged among the most influential retail companies. This paper describes innovations Wal-Mart has brought to Supply Chain Management.
The Home Depot Company’s Innovation Strategy Home Depot is a multinational home renovation company that deals with all products used in house installations and furnishing.
Innovation and Technology Cycles in Organizations The popularity of technology in manufacturing has led to many organizations relying almost entirely on it for all their operations.
Customer Involvement in LEGO Group’s Innovation Process LEGO Group is a leading competitor that capitalizes on the concept of customer engagement. This approach can become a powerful model for companies.
Technological Innovation: Self-service Checkouts The study has given a detailed literature review on self-service technologies to show how they enhance service delivery without the involvement of a company’s workforce.
Procter & Gamble Company’s Creativity and Innovation Processes Procter & Gamble employs creativity innovation management in the firm. Its main goal is to endorse the growth and development of the rates of its shareholders.
Innovation Management and New Product Development The particular innovation opportunity identified in this report entails a collaboration tool that allows people to work from different locations but still function as a team.
Analysis of Innovation and Marketing Management The following paper discusses that creativity and innovation are worth for businesses to come up with competitive products and services.
Building an Innovation Ecosystem Most of the new entrepreneurs overlook the importance of culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. The surrounding environment should have enough self-confidence.
Airline Industry Trends, Changes, and Innovations Airlines are seeking to explore on the convenience created by information technology to earn extra revenues on top of their primary travel business.
Digital Social Innovation This paper will discuss a top to bottom examination of the significance of digital innovation and its relations to social development.
Ferrero Group Opening Singapore Innovation Center: Strategy Analysis The report has analyzed Ferrero Group’s strategic decision-making process concerning opening an innovation center in Singapore.
Innovation Aspects at 3M Company The goal of the 3M company is to retain reputation as a highly innovative and forward-oriented manufacturer that focuses on new products that have impact on the market.
Medical Innovations: 3D Bioprinting Artificial Intelligence This paper will discuss two medical technological innovations that are significant for the future of a medical organization and how different stakeholders could benefit from them.
Information and Communication Impact on Innovation This article consists of 3 sources that explore the effect of information and communication technologies on innovation processes and difficulties connected with the development.
The Spanish Fashion Industry: Business Model Innovation The Spanish companies tend to move from the idea of fast fashion models to more sustainable innovative business models.
Military Drones: Innovation Project Unmanned aerial vehicles have revolutionized modern-day wars and the approach that is used to collect data, especially in locations deemed unsafe for military personnel.
Abu Dhadi Airports Innovation in Aviation Both globalization and regional integration have a specific influence on business development. In the case of an industry as big as aviation one, this impact is even more evident.
Transforming Business Performance: Creativity and Innovation In the modern world, the development of contemporary markets involves the application of creative and innovative approaches in business.
Entrepreneurship: Innovation, Failure, Culture Entrepreneurial failure refers to the discontinuation or exit from a business which includes a closure for any reason or change in ownership, bankruptcy, and persistent losses.
Clinical-Driven Innovation in Nursing Practice The paper at hand is going to analyze a relevant Health IT topic in order to make it clear how the issue under discussion will affect nursing practice.
Biotechnological Innovations in Medicine Biology has possibilities for developing new technologies in genetic engineering. Biotechnological innovations in medicine bear the separate name of biomedicine.
Analysis of Walmart Innovations The paper evaluates the technologies of Online Grocery Shopping and the Walmart+ subscription service in terms of benefit to the organization and satisfaction of consumer needs.
Tokyo’s Technological Wonder and Innovation Tokyo’s innovation efforts are largely associated with three major areas – robotics, Internet-of-Things and med-tech.
The Graduate House of the University of Toronto: Innovation or Provocation The Graduate House of the University of Toronto is one of the architectural projects that provokes multiple discussions and separates the public opinion by its design.
Business Innovation and Skill (BIS) Data Analysis The purpose of the present report is to compare the Southeast region with the North West region in terms of similarities and differences in business development.
Southwest Airlines Company: Innovation and Marketing The Southwest Airlines Company is one of the most innovative companies and this paper is going to carry out a discussion about this company.
Measuring Factors Affecting Implementation of Health Innovations Transformational leadership with a rational and structured approach to change implementation can enhance the quality of medical services and improve professionals’ working conditions.
Techsol Corporation’s Creativity and Innovation This report proposes a plan for managing creativity and innovation in Techsol to ensure that the company’s goals can be achieved.
Technologic Innovation for Business: Pros and Cons Technological innovation provides a range of new opportunities for various companies to evolve by reducing their spending and time needed to perform certain activities.
Advertising Analytics and Marketing Innovations The modern advancements in computing, communication, and analytics can provide significant benefits to any organization looking to improve its marketing strategy.
Starbucks’ Corporate Culture and Innovation The success of Starbucks can be attributed to several elements of the organizational culture and considering the diverse needs of clients by implementing new technologies.
David Emsley’s Innovation Theory Emsley refers to the idea that innovations should help organisations in the process of adaptation to the changing business environments and survive in these environments.
Education and Innovation in the UAE The proposed research will attempt to gather information concerning the modernization in the educational institutions of the UAE that has already been going on for some time and review its effects.
Innovation Impact on Export Success This study makes it evident that the innovative efforts implemented by companies are triumphant in the promotion of their success in foreign markets.
Adverse Effects of Patents on Innovation in Business The paper indicates how scientists debate the patent system and its influences on the transfer of technology, operation improvements, and advanced products.
Organizational Change Leadership and Innovation The vitality of organizational leadership changes surfaces in the article “A people-centric approach to driving change” by K. Gill.
Culture as Innovation: Pop and Global Culture Culture is innovative because it demonstrates the capacity of the human imagination to go beyond what is provided, solve problems, and produce innovations.
Mental Healthcare Provision & Barriers to Innovation Mental health providers require innovative ways of improving care delivery, but they are experiencing significant challenges in adopting innovations.
Impact of Accounting Conservatism on Innovation This paper discusses the relationship between accounting conservatism, innovation, and investment and the current state of knowledge on the matter.
The Challenge of Fostering Innovation for Subsequent Growth The paper states that a climate for the inclusion of employees is associated with a greater propensity to promote and maintain innovations.
Technological Health Innovations The incorporation of play activities (e.g., virtual reality) suggests that play stimuli can inspire and somewhat push people toward a healthy lifestyle, for example.
Cloud Technology Innovation in Pharmaceutical Company Digital technology facilitates the storage of records and access to databases, but with each passing year, using physical hard drives becomes less efficient.
Three Technological Innovations The paper discusses three technological innovations. Namely, they are locust-brain cancer preventive recognition, world coin crypto base, and Hikvision.
Leadership Styles’ Impact on Innovation Performance Transformational, instrumental, and ambidextrous styles of leadership have a positive influence on innovation performance.
Innovations Disrupting the Existing Market This paper describes three innovations currently disrupting the existing market: sharing services, web-based videos, and cryptocurrency.
J. J. Thomson and His Innovation in Chemistry An English physicist, J. J. Thomson, was an academic who made one of the scientific revolutions in the history of atomic chemistry.
Analysis of Innovation in Healthcare The innovation of 3D printing in healthcare has influenced enhanced healthcare outcomes by cutting costs and improving access.
Healthcare Trends and Innovations Telemedicine and the introduction of artificial intelligence are currently the most important and influential modern healthcare trends.
Tokyo: The City With Innovation Tokyo in Japan is one of the fastest-growing cities with innovative technology. The city’s technology has helped the country attract more foreign investors.
Apple Company Case Study: How Innovations Help Improve Company The paper analyses why Apple has been the most technologically advanced company globally for years, and others like it are growing in that ranking year after year.
Why Tokyo Is Synonymous With Innovation Innovative solutions and the search for continuous improvement are vital for keeping the city infrastructure functional and its residents’ content.
Experiential Learning of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Studying entrepreneurship in higher education shows that one must employ experiential knowledge and go through the process called “learning by doing”.
Researching of Strategic Innovation It is possible to advise technical process automation in a circumstance where incremental innovation or change is a preferable approach.
General Motors Firm’s Electric Vehicle Innovation The transformation of General Motors into an auto concern that will focus on the transition to electric vehicles is an important step for the company and the entire planet.
Telehealth Innovations and Their Benefits The introduction of telehealth innovations will ensure continuity in the work of medical organizations and will create prospects for the formation of a single information space.
Incubating Technology-Based Firms: Innovation Ambidexterity The formation of innovation policy is the most important condition for developing the foundations of sustainable development of incubating technology-based firms.
Progress, Innovation, and Greatness in Middle Ages The Middle Ages can be viewed as a time of progress, innovation, and greatness when you take into consideration of “Economy and Society” and “The Emerging Western States.”
Western Discoveries and Innovations: Reaction of the Middle East It is very interesting to observe how the Middle East, already rich in culture and a certain scientific base, reacted to discoveries from the West.
Creative Trends in Design and Nature of Innovation One constant thing in the universe is change. Change is the foundation of innovation, and today, the speed of change within human societies is at its highest.
Innovations in Zillow Firm’s Business Model Zillow’s business model is in providing homebuyers with extensive data and other information about properties they might be interested in purchasing.
Innovation in the Cybersecurity Industry This paper explains the role of innovation in the cybersecurity industry and identifies the major developers related to inventions.
Financial Companies’ Risks and Innovations This essay aims to explore the reasons for the propensity to innovate and the maintenance of risk among financial companies.
Tencent Analysis. Micro Innovation Strategy Tencent is a large Chinese company that has managed to expand its reach into the global market and gain a grasp of fields its competition did not consider.
Innovation in International Business International business is the highest form of entrepreneurial activity, and innovation plays a vital role in the conceptual idea of gaining a competitive advantage.
Market Designs and Entrepreneurship Innovations This essay discusses the comparison between companies that upheld the triadic approach to entrepreneurship and companies that did not use the method.
Ethics of Innovation in Relation to Leadership Innovation has traditionally been in and out of fashion but is still defined as the most significant route for organizations to quicken the pace of progress.
Innovation: Description and Implementation Plan The author describes the increased threat of cyber attacks to organizations and proposes an innovative solution to the problem and a roadmap for its implementation.
Impact of Advancing Technology on Human Innovation: CRISPR Technology is implemented because there is a promising one that has emerged or if there is a performance gap that leads to the need for a change in an existing process.
Customer Care Innovations Implementation The paper proposes the implementation of significant innovations within the customer care scope to allow for profitable performance in the long term.
Frito-Lay’s Manufacturing Facility and Innovations Frito-Lay’s approach to solving the problem of introducing new equipment is thorough training of personnel to ensure the preparedness to function in current conditions.
Innovations and Consumer Experience in Health Care New technological solutions, such as mobile health applications and interoperable systems, provide considerable opportunities to improve patient experience in health care.
Health Leadership and Management Innovation A patient care facility has the responsibility of delivering health care to patients in a timely, safe and effective manner.
Healthcare Innovations and Improvements The article showed that the effective implementation of the Lean Six Sigma management strategy resulted in vital implications for hospitals.
Innovation and People Management in Business Processes Innovation is one of the most essential factors in the sustainable and efficient development of the company, the company’s executives might choose among different solutions.
Yum!: Brands Innovations and Commercialization This report will discuss this system, identifying the crucial factors of its success, as well as provide recommendations on how to improve the mentioned commercialization activities.
Action Plan to Improve Innovation Within a Team An action plan to increase the number of innovative ideas begins with an overview of the management theories and practices of other companies in the oil and gas industry.
LEGO: Innovation of Business Strategy LEGO can re-establish its leading position by implementing a reliable and innovative business strategy and critical changes based on the analyzed weaknesses and issues.
Sustainable Business Model Innovation Sustainable business model innovation comprises new business units, diversification to other business versions, and the purchase of new investments.
Innovation: Wood, Energy, and Medical Firms Case Study To study the case of Polaris Industries Inc., we have picked several credible scholarly sources in addition to the materials on the company website.
Technology Innovation and the Cultural Loss of Customary Practices Older people in modern societies acknowledge that participatory entertainment has been part of traditional culture for generations.
Perpetual Mercy Hospital’s Innovations Downtown Health Clinic, a branch of Perpetual Mercy Hospital is faced with potential competition from a similar rival clinic slated for opening within its territorial market.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Graduates The classic expression of entrepreneurship is the raw start-up company, an innovative idea that develops into a high-growth company.
Creative Management of Bill Gates and Michael Porter: Innovations Management of creativity implies that the ideas are managed to such an extent that they are put into application in a certain specific context and that they are able to bear fruit.
Energy Innovation Evolutionary Economics and Policies The use of innovative energy technology is influenced by insights into evolutionary economics. Through such insights, better policies can be formulated.
“Seeds of Innovation” and Darwin The aim of this thesis is to apply Darwin’s theory of evolution to the seedbeds of innovation that shape the growth of companies during various phases of their business.
Innovation Differences When Crossing Borders As a result of globalization, organizations are facing profound pressure to reform and improve stakeholder-related practices but in a profitable manner.
BT Groups Innovation Methods British Telecoms Group (BT Group) managed to survive the recession and global economic meltdown as a result of the principles of leadership that its management upheld.
Innovation in Operation Management – Personal Experience To overcome the different challenges faced by companies, they must put in place some strategies like differentiating their products or services from those of the competition.
Seeds of Innovation – Change Strategies There are many efforts that are aimed at creating change in the management of an organization. Three change strategies are programmatic, continuous and emergent.
Social Change Through Technological Innovation As people interact in various ways technology has been utilized to enhance aspects of human life and social contacts.
Technology Management: To What Extent Is Collaboration in Networks a Requirement of Today’s Innovation Process? What KM and innovation requires from us is not to overestimate the expected outcomes that the performance tendencies are typically associated with and its diverse aliases have had on business administration.
Entrepreneurship and the Role of Innovation Entrepreneurship is the art of pulling together resources and business acumen as a way of transforming innovations into economically viable goods
Innovation and Creativity Factors in Management Innovation is one of the core subjects that is important in determining the success of a business enterprise in meeting its customers’ needs.
Innovation and Creativity in Management A critical analysis of the case study ‘Photovoltaic Breakthrough’ has been performed in this paper. The case relates to frameworks and concepts of innovative management concepts at an Palo Alto Research Centre.
Merchandise Trend: Analysis of Articles on Innovations While innovations in high technology often receive the greatest publicity, advances have been made in many fields and at many levels of the police field.
Medical Product Development and Innovation Event This paper aims to identify the purpose, participants, agenda, logistics, and outcomes of the Medical Product Development and Innovation event.
Amazon’s Innovation, Sustainability, Global Market The paper is dedicated to the study of Amazon’s long-term goals and analyzing its strategies for future development.
Medical Company’s Functioning, Innovations and Change The rapid development of technologies and the appearance of new devices impacted all spheres of human activity.
Biomimicry: Innovations Inspired by Nature Biomimicry exposes an original avenue of potential research and innovation. These present an alternative to the currently dominant principles that is worthy of further investigation.
Continuity and Change in Managing Innovation In modern business, innovation management turns out to be a significant process in terms of which organizational growth and competitiveness are possible.
Cloud Computing as Information Technology Innovation The central idea behind cloud computing is transferring and storing data in a big data center securely accessible from any computing device connected to the internet.
Smartphone Innovation and Powerful Marketing Plan The number of people purchasing and using smartphones has been on the rise. This change is catalyzed by emerging technologies such as applications and superior operating systems.
Implementing Cost-Effective Stem Cell Innovation The purpose of the paper is to explore the broader issues that impact clinical trials of stem cell research and treatment in general.
Polaris Industries Inc.’s Innovation and Success Polaris Industries Inc. builds and designs various machines. It gained success due to its innovations, which are one of the most important company’s values.
How Samsung Gets Innovations to Market? Samsung company controls its designing, manufacturing, distribution and marketing process for its products via the consumer focused innovation team.
SBE Innovations Ltd.’s Value Management Project The Public-Private Partnership represented by SBE Innovations has the two-fold objective of ensuring a fair return on investment and enhancing community life.
Curriculum Design and Innovation in Language Teaching The issues of curriculum design and innovation have been troubling both practitioners and theoreticians in linguistics, pedagogy, language learning spheres for several centuries.
Lego Company’s Successful Innovation Strategy Lego introduced new products and diversified the range of its products. Nonetheless, this change was not supported by the change in distribution and logistics.
South Korea’s Innovations in Data Privacy Principles This article focuses on the current principles of information protection in South Korea and compares them to those of other Asian countries. Innovations that were introduced are central topics for discussion.
Innovation and Change Management The main purpose of the ‘Leading Innovation & Change’ module is to get theoretical and practical knowledge in the role of team and leadership in the organization.
Apple Inc.’s Innovation and Simplicity Apple Inc. is a technology company that combines the functions of manufacturing and retail businesses. It has a unique strategy promoting constant innovation and simplicity.
Nursing Professionalism and Innovations In the modern realm of the globalized environment, a nurse must focus on meeting the needs of an extremely diverse population.
ORPIC Company: Mobilising Creativity and Innovation This report analyzes internal environment factors in ORPIC that play the primary role in determining the organizational capabilities for creativity and innovation.
Knowledge-Oriented Leadership and Open Innovation The primary goal of this paper is to investigate the influence of knowledge-oriented leadership and organizational learning culture on open innovation and competitiveness.
National Pharmacy: Mobilising Creativity and Innovation This paper is focused on utilising innovation and creativity theoretical models to improve the work environment at the National Pharmacy L.L.C.
WWI and Interwar Military Innovations WWI triggered the development of an array of interwar military innovations. Today specialization is common in contemporary military forces.
Nursing: Sustainability of the Innovation The efforts aimed at sustainability include engagement of nurses through meetings, which were used to address their concerns and manage their perceptions.
Leadership Role in Quality and Innovation Any study that does not help the organization to grow in the modern world is not fit for use. The density of improving leadership can save millions of jobs and technological growth.
Employee Self-Efficacy for Innovation Performance This paper evaluates the role of self-efficacy in the process of improving the innovation performance of employees and discusses through the works of Bandura, Zimmerman, Luthans.
Personal Innovation Capacities Development The purpose of the research is to study the nature of innovativeness on a personal level and use this knowledge to define the methods helping to enhance personal capabilities.
Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity: Analysis and Innovation Strategies Neurotoxicity is a serious problem affecting both the quality of life of cancer patients and the very possibility of antitumor intervention.
Digital Consumer Involvement and Innovation Dynamics “Digital Strategies of Consumer Involvement and Innovation Dynamics” investigates the collaborative process between consumers and providers through digital technologies.
Self-Efficacy in Improving Employee Innovation The paper discusses and analyzes how self-efficacy or its absence influences the innovation performance of employees and how their skills affect the entire business progress.
Creativity in Generating Business Ideas and Innovation Innovation in technology, business processes, and industries has led to the “Creative Age” that has fuelled economic growth.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management Concepts Nowadays, it remains evident that the business world tends to evolve, and its growth is accompanied by an extended variety of concepts and their development.
Wristop Technologies Company’s Innovations This paper analyzes the Wristop Technologies company, its innovation and its source, the suitability of the chosen market and the importance of intellectual property rights.
Innovation in “Diagnosing Greatness” by Morgan Swink The book, Diagnosing Greatness, discusses the ways how any organization can become successful and achieve benchmarks in the sector or economy they position themselves.
Amazon’s Supply Chain and Transportation Innovations Amazon focuses on 3 “customer sets” that include “consumer customers, seller customers, and developer customers.” Its supply chain is characterized by significant diversification.
Creativity and Innovation in a Business Environment Creativity allows individuals to dedicate their time to researching and developing new ideas that can be commercialized.
Education and Innovation in the Middle East The improvement in the national education system is the major driver of the economic diversification in the state.
Innovation and Marketing: Main Aspects The paper explores a background of the literature on creativity and innovation and provides the innovation model that will be employed for given situation.
“Just-In-Time Inventory Systems Innovation and the Predictability of Earnings”: Article Review Just-in-time inventory models relate to the system of inventory management aimed at offering the inventory readily available in order to meet the demand of potential customers.
How to Manage Radical Innovation? The major theme of the article “How to Manage Radical Innovation” by Robert Stringer is the identification of organizational issues that hinder or encourage radical innovation.
How Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Are Related?
What Are the Systems of Innovation Perspectives and Challenges?
How Technological Innovation Changed the Course of History in the Middle Ages?
What Is the Latest Innovation That Medical Industry Is Experimenting?
How Marketing Design and Innovation Are Related?
How NBC Started the Innovation of Television News Industry?
Why Sony Minidisc Is Called Failed Innovation Nowadays?
What Are Sustainable Efforts for Innovation in Lego?
What Are Some Techniques for Stimulating Innovation?
What Is the Connection Between Demand and Innovation?
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What Is the Theoritical Approach To Banking Innovation?
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How the Widening and Deepening of Innovation Policy Is Going?
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Which Companies Should Implement Management Innovation?
Why Creativity and Innovation Is Important to Contemporary Company?
Why Space Exploration and Innovation Is Important for the Human Race?
What Is the Relationship Between Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Development?
What Is the Definition and Measurement of Innovation?
What Is the Inter Link Between Copyright and Innovation Law?
What Are the Most Common Models of Innovation?
What Lays Behind Successful Military Innovation?
What Does Salesforce Idea for Disruptive Innovation Mean?
Why Do New Products Fail in the Process of Innovation?

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These essay examples and topics on Innovation were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 8, 2024 .

EDITORIAL article

Editorial: emerging trends in innovation management and entrepreneurship development in the 21st century: issues, challenges, and opportunities.

$\r\nMinwir Al-Shammari$

1 Department of Management and Marketing, College of Business Administration, University of Bahrain, Sakhir, Bahrain
2 Kedge Business School, Talence, France

Editorial on the Research Topic Emerging trends in innovation management and entrepreneurship development in the 21st century: issues, challenges, and opportunities

1. Introduction

Constant improvements in digital technology have triggered a historic shift in how people live and work. Examples include the proliferation of digital ride-hailing platforms that rapidly grab market share from incumbent transportation providers and the emergence of entirely new industries, such as unmanned aerial vehicles based on digitized hardware that did not exist until recently. The rapidity and pervasiveness of this shift, as well as its worldwide influence, has prompted not just business owners and inventors but also government agencies throughout the world to evaluate and act on the consequences this shift may have on competition, value creation, and society at large ( ACCC, 2019 ; Furman et al., 2019 ). In today's digital age, innovation and entrepreneurship refer to activities where digital technology is used for conventional business models. The revolutionary developments brought due to digital transformation are beneficial to both fields. Digital technologies, according to the literature ( Jasimuddin et al., 2017 ; Nambisan, 2017 ; Al-Shammari and Waleed, 2018 ; Al-Shammari and Marhoon, 2022 ), dissolve traditional boundaries and shift the agency of entrepreneurship and innovation processes and outcomes, potentially rendering existing theories obsolete and necessitating investigation of these intersections as novel phenomena. The premise is that digital technologies are not merely another technological transition but fundamentally different from their analog predecessors ( Gu and Wang, 2022 ; Xia et al., 2022 ). For instance, they can continually develop ( Yusof et al., 2023 ) and overthrow established behaviors ( Naeini et al., 2022 ; Pfotenhauer et al., 2022 ). As an innovative practice, Business Process Reengineering (BPR) continues beyond the implementation stage. Although most sources see BRR implementation as the last stage of BPR management, companies should keep it that way because modern businesses function in a volatile and ever-changing environment. Keeping the feedback loop open is crucial for the success of the reengineering effort. The established framework offers SMEs a paradigm for reengineering preparation and transformation into an ongoing activity rather than a one-off attempt ( Aziz, 2019 ). The global impact of digital technologies on economic and social activities is something that not even visionaries like Jeff Bezos (the founder of Amazon), Sergey Brin and Larry Page (the founders of Google), or Steve Jobs (the co-founder of Apple) could have foreseen. Put another way; digital technologies may be viewed as external facilitators that stimulate and encourage processes or enable results in entrepreneurship and innovation ( Von Briel et al., 2018 ). Products ( Keränen et al., 2022 ), product or service platforms ( Pattinson et al., 2023 ), infrastructure tools or systems ( Aldrich, 2014 ; Nakshabandi and Jasimuddin, 2022 ), and digital applications, components, or media content are just a few examples of the functions and manifestations digital technologies may take on ( Berger et al., 2021 ). This Research Topic expands the current understanding by bringing together entrepreneurship and innovation management experts. We begin by surveying what is known about entrepreneurship development and innovation management research; then, we explain how each piece adds to the body of knowledge and business practices. Then we suggest where the field may go from here in terms of new avenues for study.

2. Innovation management and organizational objectives

“Innovation management” refers to practices standardizing how innovative ideas, processes, and goods are developed and introduced into the market ( Jasimuddin, 2012 ). Furthermore, small, medium and big businesses' performance benefits from this process ( Melendez et al., 2019 ). When a firm aims to gain a competitive edge via innovation development, the innovation management process must be effectively implemented by formulating strategies and establishing an adequate administrative framework to back up the innovation ( Melendez et al., 2019 ). In recent years, there has been a slew of qualitative research on innovation management. According to Morente and Ferràs (2017) , a conceptual framework for innovation management was developed, focusing on the role of brokers in the process. To evaluate the effectiveness of innovation management in construction firms, Serpell and Alvarez detailed a mixed quantitative and qualitative strategy for doing so ( Adeel et al., 2023 ). The concepts of effective innovation behavior and management in related organizations were uncovered in a different study by Frank (2019) . Other topics studied by researchers in this area include how organizational culture affects innovation management ( Huarng et al., 2021 ), the impact of strategic knowledge management on innovation ( Marques et al., 2016 ; Nakshabandi and Jasimuddin, 2018 ), the social processes that take place during the implementation of radical organizational innovation ( Keränen et al., 2022 ), and the determination of the necessary organizational methods for generating innovation within an enterprise ( Vargas-Halabi et al., 2017 ). According to Aziz (2022) , in today's fast-paced society, people are finding less and less time and space to create changes that will stay. As a result, governments, communities, regulators, and lawmakers should develop new guidelines to aid individuals and businesses in implementing sustainable marketing innovation (SMI). They should invest in consumer education and assistance programs to help consumers change their social values and intervene with companies to help influence consumer choices in a way that benefits society.

As demonstrated in Figure 1 by Naeini et al. (2022) , the timeframe (2004–2020) has eight clusters. There are two clusters in the first quarter (One bordering the fourth quarter) and two in the second, third, and fourth quarters. Several substantial adjustments have been made in the clusters and regions associated with each in this time compared to the previous two periods. Important developments in this era include a more profound integration of the keywords and domains of each cluster, an increase in the repetitions of words in each group, and the development of new fields.

2.1. Innovation's role in driving economic development

As mentioned earlier, much has been written about the correlation between innovation and economic development. Four different theoretical frameworks can describe this connection. The first school favors a supply-leading notion that innovation Granger generates economic expansion. Supporters of this school of thought maintain that the creation of novel ideas, such as those developed through R&D and other forms of innovation, can lead to the introduction of new goods and services as well as the development of novel processes as well as novel forms of doing business (see, for instance, Pradhan et al., 2018 ). The second view holds that increased prosperity is a direct source of new technological advancements, known as the “demand-following” theory. It is argued that prosperous nations put more resources into R&D to preserve their economic competitiveness in the global market as they grow (see, for instance, Pradhan et al., 2016 ). Third, the feedback hypothesis proposes that technological progress and economic expansion mutually cause and reinforce one another (see, for example, Galindo and Méndez, 2014 ; Pradhan et al., 2016 ; Wang and Fu, 2023 ). Intriguingly, depending on the factors and samples employed, researchers such as Pradhan et al. (2017) found evidence for all three theories. The fourth school of thinking presents a neutrality hypothesis, contending that technological progress and economic expansion are not Granger-caused ( Pradhan et al., 2017 ) because many of these economies might be in their formative stages of invention. As a result, innovation has little or no impact on economic development. Traditional factors of production undoubtedly account for much of the growth in these economies.

2.2. Entrepreneurship's role in driving economic development

Four schools of thought explain the Granger causality between entrepreneurship and economic growth, which is analogous to the relationship between innovation and economic expansion/development. A supply-leading theory first suggests that entrepreneurial Granger generates economic expansion. The economic justification is that business owners take risks and invest in the R&D that leads to the introduction of brand-new goods and services, as well as enhanced versions of existing ones and innovative new ways of doing business ( Urbano and Aparicio, 2016 ; Sedera et al., 2022 ). Secondly, many believe entrepreneurs directly result from economic progress (the “Granger cause” view). This line of thinking is premised on the idea that as an economy develops, governments can better invest in fostering entrepreneurship by putting in place fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, new institutions, and a more favorable regulatory framework for business creation. Boosting entrepreneurial efforts and innovative ideas through strengthening business support infrastructure. Nguyen and Nguyen (2023) and Pan et al. (2023) conducted two studies that provide credence to this theory. There is also the feedback hypothesis, which states that entrepreneurial activity and economic expansion mutually cause and reinforce one another via the process of Granger causation. For instance, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset may boost the economy, and a flourishing economy can inspire more risk-taking and new business creation. Huggins and Thomson (2015) and Wennekers and Thurik (2016) are two pieces of research that lend credence to this theory.

2.3. Interactions between innovation and entrepreneurship

Thirdly, a body of research looks at the probable Granger causation between entrepreneurship and innovation, and these findings may be summed up in four distinct ways. The supply-leading hypothesis advocates claim that entrepreneurs are the Granger cause of new products and processes. Economic theory suggests that business owners who risk capital on R&D and innovation are more likely to get a positive return on their money. These business owners have a knack for determining which companies will provide them with the best return on investment. Entrepreneurs who advocate for changes drive most of the venture capital business in many industrialized economies. According to the proponents of the demand-following theory, entrepreneurship is caused by innovation via the Granger causality chain. They justify this by saying that new advances, particularly technical ones, have led to new forms of company organization. These advancements have produced new “open innovation” platforms and made it easier to enter new markets ( Jasimuddin and Nakshabandi, 2019 ). The latter has further strengthened the increased availability of information, expertise, market intelligence, and other resources, all of which have contributed to a rise in entrepreneurial endeavors. Investments like Uber's online user-friendly platform connecting taxi drivers have allowed every driver to try their hand at entrepreneurship. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and other government initiatives in the United States are shown to have positive knock-on effects ( Zhang et al., 2023 ). The SBIR program has facilitated the rise of new startup companies and commercialization endeavors by giving small enterprises access to research, development, and innovation funding.

Another study lends credence to the idea of an entrepreneurship-innovation nexus feedback theory, which holds that the dissemination of entrepreneurship and innovations are Granger-caused by one another. The idea here is that when business owners spend money on modern technologies, such advancements improve the availability and quality of previously available goods and services while lowering entry barriers. These factors encourage new business owners to enter the field. Galindo and Méndez (2014) and Capello and Lenzi (2016) , for example, examined the connection between entrepreneurship and innovation (2013). Fourth, the neutrality hypothesis states that entrepreneurialism and innovation do not Granger-cause one another. One economic justification is that some nations have poor or non-existent entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. Over-regulation, hostile business practices, rent-seeking conduct, poor expenditures in R&D, and a lengthy procedure to register patents and company licenses/permits may all impede innovation and entrepreneurial activity. These factors are apparent in nations like these ( Pattinson et al., 2023 ).

3. Papers in the Research Topic

Following that, we hereunder present a review of each article accepted for this Research Topic. After that, we establish an agenda for innovation management and entrepreneurship development regarding the current opportunities and challenges, interspersing our opinions with those of our contributing author teams. Our goal is to inform Frontiers of Psychology's readers about the theories, methods, and best practices that connect entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth. We are pleased to receive 12 submissions for the peer-reviewed papers. We thank those who volunteered to review the submitted manuscripts and met a tight deadline.

The first article in this Research Topic explores how variations in leadership style affect workers' propensity for unconventional thinking-considering both internal and external subordinate viewpoints ( Lu et al. ). Based on the differential sequence pattern, the authors argue that differential leadership emerged as a decentralized form of leadership through time. Both “insider subordinates” and “outer subordinates” can benefit from the dynamic changing of roles. The study uses game logic to distinguish between the strategies employed by an insider and outer subordinates while enacting deviant, creative actions. Through a reasoning process aided by a simulation graph, individuals with a high risk-taking trait on the inside and employees with a high internal control personality on the outside are both encouraged to engage in deviant creative activities. Differential leadership fosters workers' deviant, innovative conduct, and the theoretical derivation of behavior gives necessary references and countermeasures to encourage this behavior.

The second article in this Research Topic examines how students' perceptions of their abilities affect the degree to which they can innovate and adapt to new social situations in the workforce ( Li et al. ). The authors argue that a greater degree of creative capability and social adaptation among students increases their employability by giving them greater faith in their talents to take calculated risks and realize desired outcomes. According to the study, positive interference of innovative capability, social adaptability, and self-efficacy may increase undergraduates' employability in the knowledge-based economy era.

The creative work behavior in high-tech enterprises: chain intermediate impact of psychological safety and information sharing is the topic of the third article in this Research Topic ( Xu and Suntrayuth ). This study's overarching goal is to examine how psychological safety (PS) and knowledge sharing (KS) might mediate the connection between an organization's innovation environment (OIC) and employees' creative work behavior (IWB). This research, grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), offers a theoretical framework for investigating creativity at work. The structure of the expanded SCT model was validated using data from 446 R&D professionals at Chinese high-tech companies. There was a favorable relationship between employees' sense of psychological safety and their willingness to take risks at work. Innovation at work was found to be strongly and positively connected with knowledge exchange.

Moreover, psychological safety improves individual innovative work behavior by influencing knowledge sharing among research team members. Psychological safety and knowledge sharing mediate the relationship between organizational innovation climate and work behavior. The study's shortcomings, practical consequences, and suggestions for further research were all examined at length.

The Research Topic's fourth article looked at Australian organizations to analyze the roles of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship in converting innovation intention into performance ( Abeysekera ). The Theory of Planned Behavior provided the theoretical foundation for the study. Entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship were used in the study as mediator constructs to address potential research issues. Data that contrasted performance increases between the COVID-19 financial years 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 were descriptively assessed in the study. Businesses that actively pursue innovation outperform those that do not. With increased performance with business size, major corporations outperformed medium-sized and small businesses. There was no clear distinction between firms with the same or lower performance and those without an innovation-active status. According to the survey, companies have widened their performance approach after the financial crisis to include the triple bottom line, which promotes performance in the economy, society, and the environment.

4. Concluding remarks

This Research Topic generates many conversations to advance our understanding of the connectivity of connected entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth. The papers in this Research Topic reflect the latest research and empirical findings on all aspects, issues, policies, and practices of innovation and entrepreneurship development in the digital economy of the 21st century at the individual, organizational, industry, national, and international levels.

Author contributions

All authors listed have made a substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to the work and approved it for publication.

Acknowledgments

We appreciate the opportunity to organize this Research Topic of Frontiers of Psychology and thank all those who contributed. We thank all the reviewers, editorial board members, and the publication team for making this Research Topic possible.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Keywords: innovation, entrepreneurship, economic development, leadership, sustainability

Citation: Al-Shammari M, Aziz WA and Jasimuddin SM (2023) Editorial: Emerging trends in innovation management and entrepreneurship development in the 21st century: issues, challenges, and opportunities. Front. Psychol. 14:1145727. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145727

Received: 16 January 2023; Accepted: 07 September 2023; Published: 20 September 2023.

Edited and reviewed by: Zhenzhong Ma , University of Windsor, Canada

Copyright © 2023 Al-Shammari, Aziz and Jasimuddin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Minwir Al-Shammari, minwir@gmail.com ; malshammari@uob.edu.bh

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Innovation Strategies of the World’s Most Admired Companies

Organizational Transformation

The world’s most forward-thinking organizations prioritize innovation. Discover six key innovation strategies they use to drive growth across the business.

When it comes to innovation, large organizations have a reputation for being too risk-averse to make it happen.

Someone must have forgotten to tell that to the firms on this year’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies (WMAC). In our new survey of these impressive organizations, product and service innovation was their number one growth strategy.

And it seems to work. Our research shows that 60% of the most innovative companies on the 2024 WMAC ranking—the ones we call our WMAC Innovation Leaders—have grown by more than 10% over the past few years. Less than half of their less-innovative peers can say the same.

Innovation delivers tangible business value through new ideas, methods, products, or services. It’s about fostering change and transformation, both incremental and radical, to drive growth.

We asked the WMAC Innovation Leaders which tactics they’re using to promote innovation within their firms, and our experts at Korn Ferry have added context to these different innovation strategies.

Investing in R&D

A strong majority (70%) of the Innovation Leaders invest more in research and development than their less innovative peers. There’s a good reason for that: not only does R&D help create ideas for new product and service offerings, but it helps businesses find more efficient ways to operate.

Even when new product or process ideas hit a dead end, innovative companies continue investing in R&D because it prevents them from staying put. “They know if they remain static, somebody else will come along and copy them— so they keep pushing the boundaries to remain leaders in their categories,” says Wil Schoenmakers, Senior Client Partner and Head of Global Consumer Consulting at Korn Ferry. It's a good approach, he continues, because we know leaders who expand existing category boundaries by introducing new products and services can create stronger and more meaningful relationships with consumers and customers.

Leveraging AI and Creating Dedicated Teams to Work with It

By now, most business leaders know that AI isn’t just a flash in the pan. In recent Korn Ferry research, 82% of CEOs and senior leaders said they believe AI will have a significant or even extreme impact on their business.

They’re right—and the world’s top companies know it. A large portion of WMACs are investigating, experimenting, or actively using AI to their advantage. Crucially, WMAC Innovation Leaders are doing so more than other businesses.

More than half of WMAC Innovation Leaders are creating dedicated teams that leverage AI capabilities across business functions—compared to less than a third of their peers. They are giving employees the time and space to experiment with AI while working to alleviate any fears they might have about the tech (for example, that it will soon come for their job). Mike Solomons, Inclusive Innovation Solutions Leader and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry, says this can also be a good way to discover AI’s true potential in specific business functions.

“Knowing they have the ability to experiment with it in a sandbox is important,” he says. Companies should have a ‘promotion mindset’ rather than a ‘prevention mindset’ during times of technology upheaval, he argues, as growth can suffer otherwise at the expense of maintaining the status quo.

Accepting the Risk of Failure

Making the choice to prioritize innovation can have huge rewards, but there’s always the risk of failure. The World’s Most Admired Companies accept that innovation projects—which could be anything from an incremental process improvement to a radical, disruptive product innovation—will sometimes be unsuccessful.

Risk is an inevitable part of innovation, and it should be embraced, not feared, says Schoenmakers. Be skeptical when companies say they have a 95% success rate with their innovation projects. “They’re operating in a tunnel instead of a funnel,” he says. These companies are pushing through projects that involve little risk—and as a result are likely to have little impact in the market.

The most innovative organizations take risks, refine what they’re doing, and recognize that sometimes it doesn’t hit the sweet spot, Schoenmakers explains. “You have to be willing to learn, optimize, adjust, and pivot.”

“You have to be willing to learn, optimize, adjust, and pivot.” ~ Wil Schoenmakers, Senior Client Partner and Head of Global Consumer Consulting at Korn Ferry

Expanding Responsibility for Innovation Across the Business

At many organizations, responsibility for driving innovation sits solely with the CEO and senior executives, but that doesn’t mean this is the best practice. The most innovative companies give employees across the business opportunities to contribute to innovation processes—and some even extend those opportunities to suppliers and customers. Encouraging a more inclusive approach to innovation tends to yield richer and more diverse solutions.

Eric Tachibana , Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry, says companies sometimes forget that front-line staff can often provide valuable insights to spur innovation. “They're the ones that live with the customer day to day, so they have the best spider sense for what’s going on,” he says.

Measuring And Rewarding Innovation Programs

Just as there are checks and balances in other parts of the business, WMAC Innovation Leaders regularly measure innovation programs to determine if they’re having an impact or need fine-tuning.

What’s more, they recognize the need to incentivize employees to develop and apply these programs. “I see a lot of frustration among employees asked to provide ideas that go nowhere,” says Tachibana. While companies will host innovation think tanks and reward great ideas, he says they often have no genuine intention of investing in these innovations or committing to enterprise-wide change.

To alleviate bottlenecks in innovation, companies must consider all the people across a workforce who may be disrupted by any changes. “The people who are maintaining the current business see change as a threat—so it comes down to what they’re rewarded on,” says Solomons. Financial incentives that encourage employees at every level to embrace innovation are always welcome, notes Solomons, but there are also non-monetary rewards that can motivate effectively too.

Creating Diverse Teams Across Functions and Sharing Best Practices

Leading companies understand the value in connecting people with diverse ideas and experiences who can challenge the status quo. “So much of innovation involves expanding your spotlight and going into areas that are typically occluded,” says Solomons. “The best innovators know they need to disrupt their own ideas because that’s a growth mindset.”

Still, he says most companies don’t pay enough attention to diverse-by-design teams, even though research shows they are more effective than homogenous ones in capturing new markets and seeing ideas become marketable products. Innovative companies put a priority on creating diverse teams, he says, and they provide the tools and coaching needed for them to thrive.

“One of the critical inputs into having an innovative culture are inclusive, diverse teams—with a double emphasis on inclusive,” adds Tachibana. And this starts at the top. “You can bring in diversity, but if you have a non-inclusive leadership team making decisions the way they always have, it ruins any benefit to those diverse voices.”

Organization Strategy

Change starts with people

Fuel for Growth

As the World’s Most Admired Companies show, when innovation is prioritized in the workplace in consistent, measurable, and sustainable ways, it can improve business functions all around and fuel growth.

But of course, innovation isn’t the only growth strategy of the WMACs. Discover all the different ways they’re fueling growth —and how you can, too. Or check out our webinar, where the World’s Most Admired will share their growth secrets.

Key takeaways

What top companies do to actively drive innovation
Why accepting risk and failure is key to innovation success
How to make innovation sustainable across your organization

Our experts

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Growth Strategies of the World’s Most Admired Companies

Korn Ferry surveyed almost 400 senior executives from leading companies to learn their secrets for growth. Here’s what we found out.

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Business model innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises: Strategies for industry 4.0 providers and users

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management

ISSN : 1741-038X

Article publication date: 7 March 2019

Industry 4.0 is expected to significantly transform industrial value creation. However, research on business models affected through Industry 4.0, and on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), remains scarce. In response, the purpose of this paper is to address both aspects, further elaborating on the role that SMEs can take toward Industry 4.0 as provider or user.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used an exploratory research design based on 43 in-depth expert interviews within the three most important German industry sectors, mechanical and plant engineering, electrical engineering and automotive suppliers. Interviews were conducted with leading personnel of the respective enterprises, including 22 CEOs. They assign business model implications through Industry 4.0, referring to the Business Model Canvas, while the paper delineates between Industry 4.0 providers and users.

The paper finds that key resources and value proposition are among the most affected elements of the business model, whereas channels are the least affected. Furthermore, distinct characteristics between Industry 4.0 providers and users can be delineated. In general, Industry 4.0 providers’ business models are significantly more affected than users, except for key partners and customer relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Industry 4.0 remains at its early stages of implementation. As a result, many interviewees’ answers remain at a rather general level.

Practical implications

Strategies for the further alignment of the business models are provided for Industry 4.0 providers and users.

Originality/value

The paper is among the few that investigate Industry 4.0 in the context of SMEs and business models.

Manufacturing industry
Case studies
Small- and medium-sized enterprises
Industry 4.0

Müller, J.M. (2019), "Business model innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises: Strategies for industry 4.0 providers and users", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management , Vol. 30 No. 8, pp. 1127-1142. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-01-2018-0008

Emerald Publishing Limited

Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial & non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode

1. Introduction

Industry 4.0 is a concept initiated by the German government that intends to introduce a paradigm shift toward a digital future in industrial production. It is an attempt to ensure future competitiveness for German industry ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Lasi et al. , 2014 ). Industry 4.0 attempts to address two developments for German industry within a common program, changing environmental conditions and relevant technological developments ( Lasi et al. , 2014 ). Examples of changing environmental conditions include globalization, increased market volatility, abbreviated innovation cycles, intensified competition and increasing complexity ( Lasi et al. , 2014 ). Relevant technological developments in industrial production include increasing automation, digitalization and interconnection between machines, products and users. These developments are based on the concept of the Internet of Things, which will be introduced into the German manufacturing industry ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Lasi et al. , 2014 ).

In addition to securing Germany’s industrial position in the world through efficient value creation, Industry 4.0 intends to provide flexibility and customization of products and services ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ). Ecological and social benefits, such as reduced energy consumption, waste reduction and new, adaptive work environments, also will be achieved through Industry 4.0 ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ; Müller, Kiel and Voigt, 2018 ). Along with technical challenges, organizational conversions must be faced regarding Industry 4.0 ( Loebbecke and Picot, 2015 ). One of the main elements within these conversions is the business model, where highly profitable new or changed models are predicted ( Arnold et al. , 2016 ; Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Loebbecke and Picot, 2015 ). In contrast to research in technical fields regarding Industry 4.0, economic challenges and potential, especially relating to business models, thus far have been examined less ( Arnold et al. , 2016 ; Brettel et al. , 2014 ; Loebbecke and Picot, 2015 ). Therefore, this paper attempts to support research in the field of Industry 4.0 and correlated effects on business models.

Which specific characteristics regarding user and provider perspectives of Industry 4.0 exist in SMEs toward Industry 4.0-triggered business models?

In response to rare research in this field, this paper applies an exploratory research design that is based on 43 in-depth expert interviews. These were conducted within the three most important German industry sectors: mechanical and plant engineering, electrical engineering and the automotive industry. Interviews were conducted with leading officials of the respective enterprises, including 22 chief executive officers (CEOs). These interviews were used as primary sources, whereas archival data were used as secondary sources. By analyzing the interviews, obtained statements were allocated to the elements of the Business Model Canvas by Osterwalder and Pigneur (2010) . Subsequently, those were analyzed regarding the user and provider perspectives of Industry 4.0.

In essence, this paper addresses the research topic of the appropriate design of companies’ business models in order to extract value from new technologies ( Chesbrough, 2010 ). Technologically triggered business model innovation remains an acknowledged but comparatively less researched stream in business model research ( Baden-Fuller and Haefliger, 2013 ). In response to technological developments, such as Industry 4.0, companies need to correspondingly adapt their business model, fostering opportunities and meeting challenges that arise ( Saebi et al. , 2016 ). The topic of new or changed business models that are enabled or challenged through Industry 4.0 remains a relatively new topic that few studies have investigated so far ( Arnold et al. , 2016 ; Ehret and Wirtz, 2017 ; Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ). Especially addressing their unique characteristics regarding Industry 4.0, SMEs require research that supports them on redeveloping or extending their existing business models. However, SMEs’ business models considering Industry 4.0 have been neglected thus far ( Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). Therefore, this paper addresses the topic of business model innovation through Industry 4.0 in SMEs. It delineates the user and provider perspectives toward Industry 4.0 that play a vital role in how companies approach the concept ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ).

2. Theoretical background

2.1 industry 4.0.

The term Industry 4.0 encompasses the expectations of politics and corporate practice that industrial manufacturing is heading toward a fourth Industrial Revolution ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Liao et al. , 2017 ; Maynard, 2015 ). The previous three Industrial Revolutions have achieved high productivity increases driven by a few fast-spreading general-purpose technologies, such as mechanization, electricity and information technology ( Veza et al. , 2015 ). These general-purpose technologies resulted in strong technical improvements and initiated complementary developments ( Bresnahan and Trajtenberg, 1995 ). For Industry 4.0, the underlying technology is represented by cyber-physical systems, whose technological infrastructure is based on the concept of the Internet of Things ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Lasi et al. , 2014 ; Xu, 2012 ). Together with cloud computing, cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things are regarded as the central technological foundations of Industry 4.0 ( Zhong et al. , 2017 ).

In Industry 4.0, cyber-physical systems establish an interconnection between the physical world and cyberspace ( He and Xu, 2015 ; Ren et al. , 2013 ). The systems create mechanisms for human-to-human, human-to-object and object-to-object interactions along the entire value-added chain ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ). The task of integrating humans into this concept remains a challenge as it faces employees’ resistance, including fear of being replaced or having inadequate skills ( Frazzon et al. , 2013 ; Gorecky et al. , 2014 ; Hirsch-Kreinsen, 2016 ; Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ).

The integration of cyber-physical systems into industrial production leads to the creation of cyber-physical production systems ( Schlechtendahl et al. , 2015 ). These can fulfill their potential when interconnected across the entire supply chain ( Haddud et al. , 2017 ). Cyber-physical production systems enable several data-based services, such as predictive condition monitoring and balancing and reducing energy consumption within production ( Shin et al. , 2014 ; Tao et al. , 2011 ). Those features are established along the entire lifecycle of machinery and products ( Lennartson et al. , 2010 ).

Aside from cyber-physical production systems, Industry 4.0 is driven by technological developments such as service-oriented architectures ( Guinard et al. , 2010 ; Mikusz, 2016 ; Raja et al. , 2013 ; Vogel-Heuser et al. , 2015 ). These enable the creation of new services and product-service utilities ( Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ; Ehret and Wirtz, 2017 ). Those developments result in the concept of smart production, also termed smart manufacturing ( Davis et al. , 2012 ; Radziwon et al. , 2014 ; Wang et al. , 2016 ; Zuehlke, 2010 ). Smart production is characterized by manufacturing of intelligent, personalized products and by high levels of collaboration through production networks ( Lasi et al. , 2014 ; Veza et al. , 2015 ; Xu et al. , 2014 ).

Besides the German Industry 4.0 initiative, similar initiatives have been developed worldwide ( Liao et al. , 2017 ). The European Union has started a public-private partnership under the title “Factories of the Future” to achieve sustainable and competitive production ( European Commission, 2016 ). In the USA, similar efforts are underway through the Industrial Internet Consortium. In China, the “Internet Plus initiative” and “Made in China 2025” represent programs comparable to Industry 4.0, and are among several approaches worldwide ( Liao et al. , 2017 ; Müller and Voigt, 2018 ).

2.2 Small- and medium-sized enterprises

In Germany, the term SME refers to companies with less than €50m in sales and fewer than 500 employees ( German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, 2014 ). For this paper, SMEs represent a fruitful research context for various reasons.

First, prospects for Industry 4.0 can primarily be expected because of the horizontal and vertical interconnection of the value chain. In German industrial value creation, SMEs represent an essential part, as they represent 99.6 percent of all enterprises, generating more than 50 percent of the GDP. In turn, integrating SMEs is perceived as a key success factor of Industry 4.0 ( Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ).

Second, existing studies reveal that SMEs’ specific challenges differ from those of large companies regarding Industry 4.0. These challenges include resource limitations, low bargaining power and concerns that existing business models might be unsuitable for Industry 4.0 ( Müller and Voigt, 2016 ; Müller, Kiel and Voigt, 2018 ). SMEs also tend to have distinct characteristics regarding the introduction of information technologies in general ( Sharma and Bhagwat, 2006 ). Therefore, SMEs require solutions tailored to meet their specific challenges, but research has mainly focused on large enterprises rather than on SMEs ( Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ).

Third, the upper management of SMEs is able to supervise the whole enterprise. The managers’ knowledge reveals information about Industry 4.0 that affects the whole enterprise and the entire business model. They may possess knowledge of key aspects within their enterprise and can therefore provide both an external and internal perspective ( Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ).

2.3 Business model innovation

Companies can extract value from new technologies only through suitable business models ( Chesbrough, 2010 ). Technological innovation therefore is a key driver for business model innovation ( Baden-Fuller and Haefliger, 2013 ). In response, companies must adapt their business models to external threats and opportunities ( Saebi et al. , 2016 ). By introducing Industry 4.0, manufacturers are able to develop new customer value ( Arnold et al. , 2016 ; Ehret and Wirtz, 2017 ; Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). This is expected through new services and product-service systems. Manufacturers can take two roles, the user or the provider perspective of Industry 4.0 ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ).

Whereas different approaches describe business models, most of the current literature agrees on central aspects: creating and capturing value by providing a value proposition to customers ( Casadesus-Masanell and Ricart, 2010 ; Zott et al. , 2011 ; Zott and Amit, 2013 ). This paper used the Business Model Canvas by Osterwalder and Pigneur (2010) . It originates from the Business Model Ontology by Osterwalder et al. (2005) . The Business Model Canvas is used in current literature to analyze business models from a practitioner’s perspective. It has proven to be a comprehensive approach to business models, as its nine building blocks assist in generating a holistic and nuanced view on business models ( Wirtz et al. , 2016 ).

The following description offers a brief summary of the building blocks within the Business Model Canvas. The value proposition provides an overview of a company’s bundle of products and services. Customer segments describes the groups of customers that a company wants to offer value. Channels describe the various means that the company utilizes to contact its customers. Customer relationships explains the types of links that a company establishes between itself and its different customer segments. Key activities describes the arrangement of activities and resources. Key resources outlines the competencies necessary to execute the company’s business model. Key partners portrays the network of cooperative agreements with other companies necessary to efficiently offer and commercialize value. Cost structure summarizes the monetary consequences of the means employed in the business model. Revenue streams describes the ways that a company makes money through a variety of revenue flows ( Osterwalder and Pigneur, 2010 ). Figure 1 illustrates the nine building blocks within the Business Model Canvas.

Several authors in business model research address the capabilities and impacts of digital technologies on business models. However, the specific impact of Industry 4.0 on business models remains a field scarcely investigated ( Arnold et al. , 2016 ). Furthermore, empirical investigations of business models in context of the Industrial Internet of Things mostly have not focused on the special requirements of SMEs ( Arnold et al. , 2016 ; Echterfeld et al. , 2016 ; Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ; Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ).

3. Research design

This qualitative empirical study aims to present the impacts of Industry 4.0 on business models of manufacturing SMEs. First, the study generates an overview of business model changes brought from Industry 4.0 for manufacturing SMEs. Changes in the nine building blocks are highlighted, supported by exemplary expert statements. Further, the paper attempts to differentiate between several business model changes that are specific for the user or provider perspective upon Industry 4.0. Therefore, relative frequencies of affected building blocks are used to show differences and similarities. The perspective of providers encompasses manufacturing cyber-physical systems and selling them to customers. Users of Industry 4.0 apply cyber-physical systems in production and services. This delineation presents an important categorization that companies can take regarding Industry 4.0 ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ). The delineation between providers and users of Industry 4.0 investigation is especially suitable in the context of SMEs. SMEs often have a focused and often single business model that can be overseen by top managers, in contrast to larger enterprises ( Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). The paper thereby also attempts to overcome the limitation of single key informants not being able to report complex organizational phenomena ( Glick et al. , 1990 ; Hughes and Preski, 1997 ).

Because of scarce prior research on Industry 4.0-related effects on business models of manufacturing SMEs, an exploratory qualitative research design was chosen. This is appropriate in exploratory research as rich data can be obtained, allowing the investigation of concrete managerial problems and extending the existing state of research ( Yin, 2009 ; Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007 ). Except for single-case studies, empirical research on business models in the context of emerging technologies remains scarce ( Demil et al. , 2015 ). Multiple-case studies enable contextualization, allowing the comparison of distinct findings and increasing the reliability of obtained data ( Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007 ). Furthermore, case study research has been used successfully in information systems research ( Dubé and Paré, 2003 ).

To conduct the qualitative survey, a representative sample was chosen ( Yin, 2009 ; Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007 ; Demil et al. , 2015 ). According to Kagermann et al. (2013) , mechanical and plant engineering, the automotive industry and the electrical industry would be primarily affected by Industry 4.0. Therefore, those three industry sectors were chosen for the study. Case firms were selected to have one predominant business model, as competing business models within a single enterprise are difficult to include in research design ( Markides and Charitou, 2004 ). To ensure these aspects, SMEs were preselected using publicly available data for classification before requesting an interview. Furthermore, a competent interview partner in a leading position, preferably the CEO, was required ( Kumar et al. , 1993 ).

Using semi-structured interviews, an interview guideline representing the research question was developed. Publicly available data and internal data provided by the interviewees for triangulation to validate the research were used as secondary sources ( Yin, 2009 ; Gibbert et al. , 2008 ; Huber and Power, 1985 ). The interview guideline consists of two parts, obtaining information about the interviewee and the enterprise, and then about business model changes from Industry 4.0. The interviews were conducted via telephone and recorded on audio files in accordance with the interview partners. Subsequently, the interviews were transcribed from the audio files, and then subjected to a qualitative content analysis ( Miles and Hubermann, 1994 ). During this process, the initial categories were defined inductively and then aligned to existing research, intending to develop theoretical knowledge ( Edmondson and McManus, 2007 ; Holsti, 1968 ). In the next step, the final categories were condensed from the initial categories using a frequency analysis ( Holsti, 1968 ). This process was conducted independently by two researchers. Subsequently, the categories were checked for consistency and compared to derive inter-coder reliability ( Holsti, 1969 ), thereby validating the coding process.

All surveyed enterprises fulfill the criteria of SMEs according to the definition of the German institute of SME research: a maximum number of 500 employees and a maximum annual turnover of €50m ( German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, 2014 ). In all, 43 interviews with lengths between 25 and 60 min were conducted and 22 of the 43 interview partners are CEO of their respective enterprises. The others are among the top officials of their enterprises, and all are members of their management board. Within the 43 enterprises, 24 are mechanical and plant engineering enterprises, 13 are automotive suppliers and 6 are from the electrical industry sector. The average number of employees is 91.02, whereas the average annual turnover is €16.09m. Figure 2 reveals the detailed distribution within the empirical sample.

4. Findings

4.1 changes of business model elements through industry 4.0.

Table I provides an overview for the nine building blocks within the Business Model Canvas, including exemplary changes of the respective building blocks through Industry 4.0.

Key resources is the most named building block within the sample (58.14 percent of interviewees). The interviewees mainly mention two aspects. First, production facilities and equipment need to be altered or especially purchased according to the specifications of Industry 4.0. As one interviewee mentions: “Industry 4.0 will require [us] to either adapt existing machinery, also known as “retrofitting,” or to purchase new machines. Especially the second will inflict high costs on SMEs” (Interviewee No. 21). Second, the interviewees describe the need for new personnel or required retraining of existing personnel. An SME representative states: “Industry 4.0 technologies require especially trained experts in the field of IT. SMEs cannot afford those easily, as such competencies are rare on the market. Currently, such experts mainly go to larger enterprises” (Interviewee No. 2). Another expert says “[…] it will be a challenge that existing personnel might become obsolete because we can’t train them accordingly” (Interviewee No. 30). This is confirmed by another interviewee, who states: “An SME has a limited workforce. The retraining required for Industry 4.0 is manageable for a larger enterprise. But who runs the daily business in an SME if the workforce is being trained? No SME can easily acquire adequate backup here” (Interviewee No. 14).

Value proposition is the second most named building block (53.49 percent of interviewees). The interviewees mainly describe new products, services or a combination of both to be offered to the customer. As one interviewee explains: “Our machines can produce more individually and tailored to customer demands. The ultimate goal here is often described as ‘batch size one.’ However, it remains questionable if this is really required for each and every product” (Interviewee No. 23). A manufacturer of machinery and equipment states: “We can offer new features with our machines, e.g., predictive maintenance, self-optimization, or reduction of energy consumption” (Interviewee No. 8). New services through Industry 4.0, which are often mentioned together with new products, are mostly described as “data-driven.” As another representative explains: “It is our goal to not only produce the machine, but set it up and connect it with other machines in the factory. We want to produce ‘turnkey’ solutions for our customer, especially regarding the integration in existing production plants” (Interviewee No. 39). Another interviewee describes the aforementioned retrofitting of machines: “As an SME, we can hardly keep up to build the newest equipment everywhere. But our strength is individual service. And this is something that you need if you want to make a 30-year-old machine ready for Industry 4.0” (Interviewee No. 6).

Key partners is tied for the third most named building block (48.84 percent of interviewees). In this context, the SMEs’ representatives primarily name partners that are experts in IT-related aspects. One interviewee states: “An SME cannot be an expert in machines and in IT easily. But it can look for the right partner, for me preferably another SME, that it can work together with” (Interviewee No. 11). Another interviewee mentions that “data security is a task that requires the right partners for us, but those partners are rare” (Interviewee No. 27).

Customer relationships is also tied for the third most named building block (48.84 percent of interviewees). Most interviewees agree that Industry 4.0 will lead to long-term relationships that include working closer together: “I experience that customers and suppliers are trying to solve these issues regarding Industry 4.0 together. You cannot achieve new technological developments in a short time, or if you only worry about costs in the short run” (Interviewee No. 27).

Customer segments is tied for the fifth most named building block (41.86 percent of interviewees). Here, the interviewees explain that new data-based products and services can lead to new customers being addressed. As one expert mentions: “Industry 4.0 rewrites the rules of the game to a certain extent. Also, the smaller [SMEs] are trying to address new customers, but also other players from abroad or from the IT industry try to enter the market” (Interviewee No. 28).

Revenue streams is also tied for the fifth most named building block (41.86 percent of interviewees). In this regard, all experts state that new pricing and revenue models will be available through Industry 4.0: “Pay per use, pay per feature, or other payment methods like this become possible. But before, this would just have been too hard to supervise. In Industry 4.0, this can be done automatically to a large extent” (Interviewee No. 13).

The Cost structure (37.21 percent of interviewees) is third least named by the interviewees, but still significantly more than key activities and channels. Most statements in this regard relate to investments required for Industry 4.0. As one interviewee mentions: “SMEs have a hard time facing the costs that come with Industry 4.0 implementation” (Interviewee No. 5). Cost savings through increases in productivity are also mentioned: “We will get more flexible and efficient in value creation, decreasing our variable costs through Industry 4.0” (Interviewee No. 26).

Key activities is second least named from all building blocks within the Business Model Canvas (23.26 percent of interviewees). Most interviewees name data-based activities through Industry 4.0: “We will be able to do things like data analysis and thereupon optimize our processes” (Interviewee No. 12). Another SME representative offers a possible explanation for the low number of SMEs naming key activities in the context of Industry 4.0: “SMEs tend to stick to what they did. They just want to do it better and especially more efficiently. For me, Industry 4.0 also includes the chance to do something completely new, even for an SME” (Interviewee No 40).

Channels is the least named building block (17.65 percent of interviewees). The few interviewees who mention this element of the Business Model Canvas relate to digital channels to communicate with their customers. One interviewee explains: “Industry 4.0, from my point of view, is able to save a lot of time in communication. One can now communicate digitally, or even the machines take over that job as they communicate among themselves” (Interviewee No. 17). Another interviewee offers a possible explanation for the lowest naming of this building block: “SMEs’ key asset, at least for many of them, is talking personally to each other and knowing the person you talk to. As such, they won’t easily turn to new ways of communication, although they should find a form to enter these new ways of communication” (Interviewee No. 40).

4.2 User and provider perspectives on Industry 4.0

In general, the present study finds that SMEs regarding Industry 4.0 from a provider perspective name the highest ratio of building blocks affected within their enterprise. Five out of nine building blocks are predominantly mentioned from a provider perspective. Two building blocks are stated comparably often from the user perspective and the provider perspective. The building block that both perspectives agree to be least affected by Industry 4.0 is channels, whereas key resources is mentioned by the majority of both perspectives as most affected by Industry 4.0. Key activities is named comparably seldom by the providers and the users, indicating a small impact on this building block for both perspectives on Industry 4.0. Only two building blocks are named by a higher percentage of Industry 4.0 users than from Industry 4.0 providers: key partners and customer relationships. These findings are summarized in Table II .

Figure 3 illustrates the ratio of building blocks affected from the perspectives of Industry 4.0 users and Industry 4.0 providers.

Within the sample of this study, most SMEs perceive themselves as users rather than as providers in the context of Industry 4.0. Only three enterprises regard themselves as both users and providers regarding Industry 4.0. Overall, the findings for both perspectives on Industry 4.0 can be summarized as follows: the providers of Industry 4.0 generally expect a significantly higher impact on their respective business models through Industry 4.0, except for the building blocks of key partners and customer relationships. However, this group constitutes the smaller portion of SMEs surveyed. The users of Industry 4.0 expect less impact on their business models through Industry 4.0 than providers, except for key partners and customer relationships.

5. Interpretation

Key resources is named predominantly by the providers of Industry 4.0-based solutions. This can be explained as manufacturing firms having to obtain competencies regarding IT. This in particular affects human resources, as data analysis experts and associated hardware are required ( Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ; Rachinger et al. , 2018 ). Fewer changes are expected for employees in production itself, but “creative problem-solvers” are increasingly required ( Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ). Both developments are logical in respect to the providers of Industry 4.0-based products and services, as the new value propositions especially will require new key resources. Still, the task of integrating existing workers into Industry 4.0 remains a challenge that requires further investigation. This encompasses the need for training and qualification of the existing workforce that could be especially challenging for SMEs.

Value proposition is named predominantly by the providers of Industry 4.0-based solutions. This seems reasonable, as new value propositions, such as individualized products meeting customer requirements specifically with batch size one products, are expected through Industry 4.0 ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Oesterreich and Teuteberg, 2016 ; Rachinger et al. , 2018 ). Furthermore, individual and customer-oriented services, making use of digital technologies and data analysis, are predicted through Industry 4.0. These include condition-based monitoring and predictive maintenance along with optimization of production systems and value chains ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). Conclusively, the providers of Industry 4.0-based predominantly mention value proposition, as providers of those solutions and products will primarily generate new value propositions.

Key partners is named predominantly by the users of Industry 4.0. This is confirmed in current literature, which states that key partners is considered to be especially important for operation and control of Industry 4.0-based systems ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Porter and Heppelmann, 2014 ). Due to their limited size, SMEs as providers will most likely require key partners in order to develop new Industry 4.0-based solutions ( Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ).

Customer relationships is named predominantly by the users of Industry 4.0. Long-term, intensified relationships with manufacturers and providers of products and services are predicted, especially for usage of products and services ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). The findings are therefore in line with current research but should be extended with further investigation regarding the customer relationships of users and providers in Industry 4.0.

Customer segments is named comparably often by the providers and the users of Industry 4.0. This finding questions the assumption that providers would address new customer segments to a greater extent. Also in literature, no differentiation between provider and user perspectives of Industry 4.0 can be found thus far. However, new customer segments are predicted through Industry 4.0 ( Arnold et al. , 2016 ; Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ; Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). This differentiation should be addressed in detail in further research.

Revenue streams is named predominantly by the providers of Industry 4.0-based solutions. New revenue models, such as dynamic pricing and pay-per-use payment models, are expected through Industry 4.0 ( Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ; Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). This can be explained as providers might foresee these new possibilities, as they will provide new revenue streams.

Cost structure is named predominantly by the providers of Industry 4.0-based solutions. Large investments are expected for Industry 4.0 to obtain required key resources. However, reductions in fixed and variable costs are predicted through increased quality and productivity ( Arnold et al. , 2016 ; Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). For obtaining new key resources, this evaluation seems logical, as providers will require large investments in this respect. For possible savings, those might not yet be seen for users in industry, especially in SMEs ( Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ).

Key activities is named predominantly by the providers of Industry 4.0-based products and solutions. In general, new key activities are expected through data management, data analysis and data mining to enable knowledge-based decision making ( Brettel et al. , 2014 ; Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ). The low estimation for key activities from SMEs can be reasoned as manufacturing SMEs are not as far developed in terms of data management and handling so far. Therefore, they might not regard this topic as important yet ( Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). However, the estimation of the providers of Industry 4.0-based solutions is in line with the state of research, as the provision of smart products and services will especially require new key activities.

Channels is the least named for all perspectives (17.65 percent of interviewees), and no differentiation between providers or users of Industry 4.0 can be found. Collaborative ways of value creation are predicted regarding Industry 4.0 that include co-creation between the providers and the users of Industry 4.0-based solutions, based on new communication technologies ( Kiel, Arnold and Voigt, 2017 ; Kiel, Müller and Voigt, 2017 ; Müller, Buliga and Voigt, 2018 ). As a result of this co-creation process, individual products can be created, understanding customer needs in detail ( Kagermann et al. , 2013 ; Müller, Pommeranz, Weisser and Voigt, 2018 ). However, the results do not reveal a differentiation between provider and supplier perspectives and offer a low evaluation of channels in general. This can be explained as direct, personal and highly individual Channels are already present in SMEs and provide a highly valuable characteristic of SMEs ( Müller and Voigt, 2016 ).

The finding that providers consider more changes in terms of impacts on their respective business model through Industry 4.0 seems logical. The provision of products and services from design to market affects more elements within a business model than using them. This becomes especially obvious for the low evaluation of key activities from a user perspective. The evaluation of key resources regarded as most important and channels regarded as least important from both perspectives is mostly in line with current research for larger enterprises ( Arnold et al. , 2016 ).

6. Managerial implications

Besides presenting the key findings, this paper separates managerial implications for the perspectives of both providers and users of Industry 4.0. Providers in respect to Industry 4.0 are recommended to investigate necessary key activities and required key partners regarding Industry 4.0. Especially for the latter, SMEs as providers will definitely require adequate partners for the provision of Industry 4.0-based solutions due to their limited size. Addressing new customer segments could provide new Industry 4.0-based solutions to a broader group of potential customers. New customer relationships should also be considered, also in respect to the mentioned new relationships that could emerge through digital channels. Furthermore, this paper recommends the possibilities of new channels in terms of Industry 4.0. This includes new technologies for communication in collaboration with existing and well-established channels. For the users of Industry 4.0, it can be suggested to especially regard the value of key partners and customer relationships, thereby finding suitable key partners for the provision of Industry 4.0-based solutions. In addition, the users of Industry 4.0 are advised to foster customer relationships in terms of Industry 4.0.

Extending these recommendations, special challenges of SMEs toward Industry 4.0 must be regarded: lack of financial resources, low production numbers, low degrees of standardization and a lack of understanding of integration, which are major concerns for German SMEs ( Müller and Voigt, 2016 ). Furthermore, access to skilled employees and concerns regarding data security and privacy concerns are among major challenges for German SMEs that plan to implement Industry 4.0. Conjointly with these findings, this paper presents the following recommendations for users and providers of Industry 4.0.

For users, the reduction of capital commitment regarding Industry 4.0-based solutions that are cost-intensive is essential. Pay-per-use contracts and leasing of machinery could provide ways to reduce capital commitment. This approach could also include financing by customers, especially larger enterprises possessing larger financial resources, relating to the high importance of new customer relationships. Furthermore, finding compound effects with other enterprises regarding Industry 4.0 is recommended, relating to the high importance of new key partners for users regarding Industry 4.0. This approach could assist in reducing costs, establishing standards and gaining access to trained personnel and expertise. Potential solutions could be platforms among SMEs or partnerships with larger enterprises.

For providers, this paper proposes business models building on new value propositions, key activities and revenue streams, such as provision of services, complete product-service systems and payment methods. Thereby, providers of Industry 4.0-based solutions could address the concerns of SME users of Industry 4.0, such as lacking expertise toward Industry 4.0 or insufficient financial resources. Offering complete solutions, such as service provision and hardware conjointly, could assist in generating compound effects and offering new value propositions to customers. Addressing the requirement of new key resources in terms of Industry 4.0, compound effects could be found within platforms among SMEs or partnerships with larger enterprises. These could also assist in developing new cost structures required in terms of Industry 4.0, relating to new key resources required.

Overall, it can be concluded that a provider role toward Industry 4.0 creates larger impacts on SMEs’ business models. Therefore, companies need to decide if this poses a threat toward their established business models, and whether they should therefore avoid the provider role toward Industry 4.0. However, taking a provider role toward Industry 4.0 could also enable SMEs to fully grasp the potentials of Industry 4.0, which remain out of reach of Industry 4.0 users. SMEs are therefore advised to consider both roles but encouraged to take the risks to become an Industry 4.0 provider.

7. Conclusion

This paper attempts to provide insights for manufacturing SMEs and how Industry 4.0 affects their business model, leading to specific integration strategies. Thereby, this study contributes to the current body of knowledge regarding business models and Industry 4.0. It presents findings that are especially focused on SMEs as one of the few studies in this context. The detailed differentiation among the nine building blocks for Industry 4.0 providers and users is unique and unseen in literature thus far. This approach is especially suitable regarding SMEs due to their focused and mostly singular business model.

Furthermore, the approach of differentiating between the perspectives of a provider and a user of a technology has scarcely been conducted thus far. It is expandable to other technologically triggered business model innovations and provides an insightful field for future research. The results show that distinct characteristics between these two perspectives exist, whereas providers of Industry 4.0-based solutions expect the most changes in their business models in regard to Industry 4.0. Notably, a significantly larger proportion of SMEs in this study can be characterized as Industry 4.0 users, with Industry 4.0 providers only constituting about one quarter of the sample. This information can be extended for the Industrial Internet of Things and comparable concepts to Industry 4.0 outside of Germany.

Because of the exploratory qualitative research design, the study also inherits several limitations. Exploratory research in this case has the difficulty that Industry 4.0 might be at its start of implementation for many of the surveyed SMEs. A generalization to other research settings without verification using different research methods is considered critical. However, as the study follows a replication sampling logic ( Yin, 2009 ) and encompasses 43 interviews, the results can present general patterns about impacts on business models regarding Industry 4.0. As a further limitation, this study mainly relies on qualitative results and uses case materials exclusively for validation. Future research could include case material in order to extend the empirical results obtained.

Further recommendations for future research include quantitative research methods in order to verify the qualitative research results. A comparison to larger enterprises, if those can be condensed to a single business model referring to Industry 4.0, would present further valuable insights for this topic. The interdependence between different elements within a business model is of particular interest, also in connection with reasons for the adoption of new or changed business models and their implementation processes. An investigation regarding the implementation of business model adaptions over time should be considered, investigating the interplay with partners, suppliers and customers. The managerial implications proposed must be verified in practice, whereas their effectiveness needs to be addressed in future research.

Business model Canvas

Annual turnover and number of employees within sample

Ratio of building blocks affected for provider and user perspectives of Industry 4.0

Business model building blocks and exemplary changes through Industry 4.0

Total ratio of perspectives and their predominant naming of building blocks

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v.9(1); 2023 Jan

Innovation and international business: A systematic literature review

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Introduction

Innovation and international business are essential to achieve competitive advantages in currently unforeseen business environments. Today's company seeks innovation in its country of origin and abroad in order to compete globally. Thus, incorporating this concept into international companies' strategies is a main issue nowadays.

The aim of this systematic study is to improve the current knowledge on the relationship between innovation and international business, as well as identifying innovation tendencies for corporations to acknowledge the opportunities and challenges of this area's development in the international business context.

Methodology

Despite the abundance of innovation and international business reviews, joint reviews of both of them cannot be found. This study is the first to combine the scholarly research on both topics with the systematic literature review of academic literature of 28 years, following the PRISMA guidelines and flowchart. A search was carried out in Web of Science database; 847 initial documents were obtained and, after reviewing multiple documents according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the results for this research work were reduced to 236 articles.

The results of this research provide an overview of the knowledge structure of innovation and international business. As the main contribution, the results highlight four themes of investigation within a comprehensive and multidimensional framework: Innovative activities of multinational corporations, Global value chains, Innovation in emerging economies, and Cross-border knowledge. With an international perspective, insights from how to face innovation development in the international business context are presented.

Conclusions

There is a strong relationship between innovation and international business. These four research trends highlight the strategic importance of innovation in the international business field. Finally, the most interesting paths for future research are identified, targeting opportunities for improvement in both areas. This systematic literature review is expected to make significant contributions to both theory and practice in the field of innovation and international business.

1. Introduction

Innovation, knowledge and technology are relevant concepts in the international business field [ 1 ] and both areas are essential to achieve competitive advantages in current business environments [ 2 ]. Cantwell [ 3 ] adds that innovation and internationalization processes have been increasingly interlinked as key drivers of development since the first industrial revolution, all the way to today's information age.

Innovation is the cornerstone of growth and sustains organizations to counter marketplace fluctuations and prepares them for long-term growth [ 4 ]. Business model innovation, although it is very difficult to achieve [ 5 ], can itself be a pathway to competitive advantage if the model is sufficiently differentiated and hard to replicate for incumbents and new entrants alike [ 6 ]. New models of innovation have encouraged many innovative firms to change the way they search for new ideas, adopting open search strategies that involve the use of a wide range of external actors and sources to help them achieve innovation [ 7 ].

The field of international business studies came to prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s with the growth of multinational corporations [ 8 ]. In this framework, two theoretical models are extremely relevant; on the one hand, gradual internationalization or Uppsala model, according to which internationalization is seen as an incremental process that begins in foreign markets, being in closer proximity to the domestic market in terms of physical distance [ 9 , 10 ] and, on the other hand, born global firms, that is to say, companies that internationalise at or near their founding, on an average period of three years of founding, generating at least twenty five percent of their total sales from foreign countries [ 11 ]. There is an extensive literature about this issue [ [12] , [13] , [14] ].

The systematic literature review on the topic of innovation has been a frequent research method over the last ten years. Different topics have been raised and discussed: organizational innovation [ 15 ], innovation capability in SMEs [ 16 ], or digital innovation in knowledge management systems [ 17 ] among others. In the same way, systematic literature review about international business is copious, holding various topics of investigation: knowledge flows in multinational corporations [ 18 ], business systems theory [ 19 ], social network [ 20 ], or culture [ 21 , 22 ].

Despite the abundance of innovation and international business reviews, joint reviews of both of them cannot be found, such review being needed since the emerging phenomena that are changing international business' frontiers require a change, as well, in the threshold of international business’ innovation [ 23 ]. From an economic point of view, Melitz [ 24 ] shows how high exposure to trade will induce only the most productive companies to enter the international markets; in addition, internationalization has a more positive effect on innovation in high productivity companies [ 25 ]. Likewise, the number of international relations increases the capacity to innovate [ 26 ] and exposure to foreign competition is associated with greater firm innovation [ 27 ]. Companies thus grow either through innovation or through internationalization (also through a mixed strategy), with a combination of internationalization and innovation being the most advisable option when domestic markets are limited [ 28 ].

International innovativeness is a significant dimension of international business competence [ 29 ], as a nuanced understanding of innovation and international business necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to reveal their multifaceted aspects [ 30 ]. Having this in mind, the aim of this study is to improve the current knowledge on the relationship between innovation and international business, that is to say, to identify trends for companies to know better the opportunities and challenges of innovation development in the international business context. Thus, the main innovative contribution of this systematic approach is the proposal of four themes of investigation within a comprehensive and multidimensional framework: Innovative activities of multinational corporations, Global value chains, Innovation in emerging economies, and Cross-border knowledge. This systematic review is motivated by the knowledge gap found in this issue since future research could fill that knowledge gap in the international business field through the development of new theoretical frameworks that draw on various disciplines [ 31 ]. On this wise, international business literature tends to develop a plurality of approaches that makes difficult to find single recurring or dominant forms [ 32 ].

Considering the ideas presented above and creating an intersection between both the literature of innovation and that of international business, this research provides several contributions to both areas. This is done with a methodologically systematic review of academic literature on both topics. A systematic review has been increasingly adopted in the management literature and is guided by a review question that defines the topics used for the database [ 33 ]. Following a previous theoretical study, two research questions were defined.

What themes about innovation and international business have been studied jointly to date?

Which themes about both areas require further research?

The rest of the paper is structured as follows: the section “Research method” presents the methodology and both the data search and selection used for the study; meanwhile, the section “Research results” presents the main results derived from that research, being categorized in those four themes of investigation posed earlier; the section “Discussion” also presents “Limitations” and “Recommendations for future research”, as further studies are needed to provide greater insight about this new approach; finally, the section “Conclusions” has also been included.

2. Research method

This paper presents the results of a systematic review of innovation in international business. Knowledge production within the field of business research is accelerating while at the same time remaining fragmented and interdisciplinary. This makes difficult to assess the global evidence in a specific area of business research, being the reason why literature review as a research method is more important than ever [ 34 ]. An advantage of the systematic review methodology is the generalizability of the results by allowing the accumulated knowledge in the field to be systematically synthesized and analysed [ 35 ]. A systematic review should have a list of specific steps to assure that important studies regarding the topic are acquired without any bias. Overall, following Tranfield et al. [ 36 ], (1) Identification for the need for a review, (2) Selecting a sample of potentially relevant works and the pertinent literature, (3) Data synthesis, (4) Reporting the results and recommendations. The cited steps are all followed in this study. Specifically, the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, commonly called PRISMA [ 37 ], were followed in this study.

In this analysis, a systematic search was carried out in Web of Science of Clarivate Analytics, including documents published from January 01, 1993 to December 31, 2020. Birkle et al. [ 38 ] claim that Web of Science is the world's oldest, most used and reliable database of research publications (around 34000 journals today). The query used in this systematic literature review is as it follows: TS = (“Innovation” AND “International Business”). Consequently, TS = Topic; and the search terms “innovation” and “international business” were combined with the Boolean Operator “AND”. Therefore, literature search was based on two simultaneous topics, “innovation” and “international business” (as stated in the title of the publication, the abstract, the author keywords and/or the keywords plus). Each document has been published between 1993 and 2020, since the first contribution was published in 1993. A total of 847 related documents were found. Thus, it can be affirmed that the importance and size of the literature on innovation and international business is more relevant.

Different criteria for inclusion and exclusion are considered in this study. The process is described through the PRISMA flowchart ( Fig. 1 ). Excluding meetings, books, review articles, editorial materials, and others, the reviewing process generated 630 articles. Only articles published in Business Economics have been considered due to its prominent research area regarding the topics of this paper; bearing this in mind, the number of the articles was reduced to 291. Each article is written in English language following Tenzer et al. [ 39 ], stating that 75% of articles in the social sciences are written in this language; therefore, the number of articles was delimited to 264. At last, each article was read in its entirety and various articles were excluded based on full-text or abstract due to their irrelevant nature to the research; thereby, the final sample has been finally reduced to 236 articles. Other criteria, as open access or funding agencies, have not been considered in this research work.

PRISMA flowchart of the systematic literature review.

One by one, data of each article were extracted, transferred, and sorted into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for further analysis. Therefore, a wide Excel database was created with specific information for each article: journal, title, authors' keywords, keywords plus, year of publication, and author information (number, name, affiliation, and country). Specifically, the author keywords and the keywords plus have been studied. In total, 3064 keywords (authors’ keywords and keywords plus) were counted, analysed and categorized; this analysis has allowed to obtain four themes of investigation. Subsequently, in Web of Science, these research trends have been confirmed with the latest studies published from January 01, 2021 to November 03, 2022.

3. Research results

3.1. general results.

Fig. 2 shows the number of articles on innovation and international business published each year over time. 236 articles were published during the study period 1993–2020, with no consistent trend of the number of articles published, that is to say, with some ups and downs. 80% of the total articles reviewed (189) were published during the last ten years (2011–2020). The largest number of articles was published during 2020 (43 articles), followed by 2018 (31 articles), 2015 and 2019 (both with 21 articles), and finally 2017 (15 articles). There was a lack of publications during the following years: 1994, 1995, 1998, and 2001. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods are included in these articles (for instance, case study, literature review, bibliometric study, or regression analysis, among others).

Number of articles published each year.

The first article was published in the Strategic Management Journal by Hagedoorn [ 40 ]; this article presents interfirm strategic alliances in the international business area and their relationship with innovative efforts. The second article was published in the Journal of International Business Studies by Buckley and Casson [ 41 ], regarding international joint ventures in terms of the accelerating pace of technological innovation.

Number of authors per article is presented in Table 1 . The number of authors ranged from 1 to 9, with a predominance of two (35.59%) and three (30.93%) authors per article, that is to say, over 65% of the articles published. Besides, the mean of authors per article is considered to be 2.44.

Number of authors per article.

Following the previously mentioned line of thought, Table 2 shows the most relevant journals for research topic. The major journals included in this study are Journal of International Business Studies (48 articles; 20.34%), International Business Review (32 articles; 13.56%), International Marketing Review (14 articles; 5.93%), Management International Review (12 articles; 5.08%), Journal of International Management (8 articles; 3.39%), and Multinational Business Review (8 articles; 3.39%). These are believed to be the top six academic journals and represent more than a half (52%) of the total scientific production.

Main authors.

Principal journals.

Eight journals have published at least three articles (Thunderbird International Business Review, Journal of World Business, Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Organization Studies, Industry and Innovation, Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, Journal of Business Research, and Management and Organization Review). Eleven journals have published two articles, and finally fifty-seven journals have published only one article. Table 2 also indicates that this study is related to other topics (for instance, strategy, human resources, or entrepreneurship, among others). 1

Fig. 3 represents the most productive universities. It is important to mention that in this study the first university of each author has been selected, rejecting other additional institutions according to the author's institutional information. Thus, the first institution is the University of Reading with a total of eight articles published, followed by the University of Manchester, University of Leeds, and Uppsala University (each one with six articles); after them, the Duke University, the Rutgers University, and the Temple University (each one with five articles). Twenty-nine universities are included in 113 articles.

Most productive universities.

Finally, Fig. 4 shows the distribution of the research topic according to the countries of origin of the authors. Overall, the United States of America (frequency in articles = 80; 33.90%), England (52; 22.03%), China (24; 10.17%), Australia (21; 8.90%), Canada (13; 5.51%), and Italy (12; 5.08%) are the most prominent countries. Twenty-three countries were included in the sample. A country is considered part of this figure if it appears in at least three articles.

Most prominent countries.

3.2. Thematic analysis

The current state of the literature is characterized by its complexity and fragmentation. As previously reported, 3064 keywords (authors’ keywords and keywords plus) were counted, analysed and categorized. Some of the most prominent keywords, with minimum occurrences of ten, are showed in Table 4 ; the semantic difference between singular and plural forms is not considered. Obviously, “innovation” and “international business” are the most relevant concepts among the ones displayed. These two keywords together, along with the other five keywords, influence four categories. Subsequently, “multinational corporation” and “knowledge” are the most common keywords in this research work.

Themes of investigation identified.

Thus, this section synthesizes the results of this study. Four themes of investigation about the relationship between innovation and international business are suggested: Innovative activities of multinational corporations, Global value chains, Innovation in emerging economies, and Cross-border knowledge. This thematic analysis allows to answer the RQ1 posed earlier, that is to say: “What themes about innovation and international business have been studied jointly to date?” Consequently, it provides the occasion to have a more complete understanding of the research topic within a comprehensive and multidimensional framework.

3.2.1. Innovative activities of multinational corporations

A classic topic in international business research is the multinational corporation. The widest theme of investigation studies the relationship between innovation and the multinational corporation because, as Venaik et al. [ 42 ] assert, the international business literature has placed ever-greater emphasis on the role that learning and innovation play in determining multinational corporation performance.

It is common to conceive multinational corporations as a set of geographically disseminated subsidiaries that are combinations of heterogeneous technology competencies and product market responsibilities [ 43 ] or, in previous years, as firms that control and manage production establishments located in at least two countries [ 44 ]. Competitive success hinges on a multinational corporation's ability to use effectively available knowledge, and to combine it with knowledge from other locations [ 45 ]. Therefore, by interacting with locations multinational corporations have the possibility to organize their activities for balancing the exploitation of their current knowledge base and that of the new knowledge bases [ 46 ].

Knowledge that is complex to measure [ 47 ] has been recognized as critical for subsidiaries' power [ 48 ] and its transfer is driven by subunits’ motivation: subunits whose activities are mostly complementary have a natural motivation to collaborate and to ensure that the transferred knowledge is adopted, while subunits with surrogate activity relationships are less motivated [ 49 ]; consequently Miller et al. [ 50 ] assert that the use of distant knowledge contributes to innovation.

The location choice for R&D subsidiaries has been a topic of interest for researchers [ 51 ] since national subsidiaries carry out different tasks in the distinct processes of creation and innovation in multinational corporations [ 52 , 53 ]. Moreover, according to Frost et al. [ 54 ], the formation of centres of excellence in foreign subsidiaries of multinational corporations is shaped by the conditions of the subsidiary's local environment, the fundamental role played by parent firm investment as well as the role of internal and external organizations in the development of subsidiary capabilities. As Castellani et al. [ 55 ] argue, multinational corporations have organizational and technical competencies that enable them to transfer knowledge within their internal networks at a relatively low cost, so that geographic distance has a relatively low impact on international R&D investments. Nevertheless, the within-country cultural distance between subsidiaries influences headquarters to transfer projects between those same subsidiaries [ 56 ].

Therefore, the degree to which the business model links to local idiosyncrasies, local knowledge, or local innovation, impacts on the business model-related specific advantages [ 57 ]. In this context, Cantwell [ 58 ] claims that changes in the environment for international business activities have facilitated more open networked formations. Such cooperation will often take place within the field of the multinational corporation orchestrated innovation network which may include open innovation activity [ 59 ]. Prashantham and Birkinshaw [ 60 ] add that multinational corporations can cooperate with small and medium sized-enterprises as a specific type of host country business stakeholder, although the extent to that cooperation being relatively weak or not is a result of the compatibility between the intents of these disparate sets of firms.

3.2.2. Global value chains

In recent years, firms have been increasingly implementing strategies to take advantage of the comparative advantages of locations. This results in a wider geographic dispersion of firms' activities, with direct implications for creative industries’ global value [ 61 ]. Buckley [ 62 ] proposes the concept of global factory as a structure through which multinational corporations integrate their global strategies through a combination of innovation, distribution and production of goods and services. The increasing international fragmentation of economic activity gives rise to the global value chain research stream, a conceptual approach that deals with managing disaggregated and geographically dispersed value chains of multinational corporations (see, for instance, Refs. [ [63] , [64] , [65] , [66] ]).

The global value chain concept recognizes that such value-creating chains were not restricted solely to commodities but could also be extended across manufacturing and indeed to services [ 67 ]. Large multinational corporations operate in global innovation systems that are highly complex and so interdependent that the sources of new knowledge creation are hard to pinpoint [ 68 ].

Traditionally, the cluster approach emphasizes horizontal links between firms and local organizations [ 69 ] and from a network perspective, the cluster is a mechanism for the share of knowledge and learning [ 70 ] and also to innovate [ 71 ]. Nevertheless, the global value chain is strongly related with the analysis of clusters in the globalization era [ [72] , [73] , [74] , [75] ] because the need to integrate the global industry and local cluster levels is a basic one [ 64 ]. As Carloni [ 76 ] develops, clusters are supporters and accelerators of internationalization processes. Moreover, the existence of strong local innovation systems tends to be a prerequisite to guarantee sustained learning through global value chain participation [ 77 ].

Overall, participation in the global value chain is positively related to the innovation result of a country, which suggests that the international fragmentation of production may be a channel that allows international technology transfer from developed to developing countries [ 78 ]. Integration in the global value chain is perceived as a fundamental way for companies in developing countries to access knowledge to innovate [ 79 ] and to access larger markets and new technologies too [ 80 ].

3.2.3. Innovation in emerging economies

Emerging economies are low-income, rapid-growth countries using economic liberalization as their primary engine of growth [ 81 ]. Since the end of the 20th century, emerging economies, or what is the same, emerging markets, constitute the major growth opportunity in the world economic order and their potential has created a shift in multinational corporations [ 82 ] seeking to do business in emerging economies with manifold stakeholders benefited [ 83 ], although characteristics of internationalization of emerging market multinational enterprises investment simultaneously have positive and negative development consequences in their home countries [ 84 ]. In any case, multinational corporation subsidiaries and local institutions can help emerging market stakeholders, as suppliers [ 85 ].

Innovation is an important driver of economic growth in emerging economies [ 86 ]. In this context, for instance, innovation has helped develop solutions for consumers at the bottom of the pyramid [ 87 ] and middle-class consumers [ 88 ]. Emerging economies have certain characteristics, such as immature capital markets, lack of resources for innovation, and poor legal framework to protect property rights [ 89 ], that make the innovation process different from developed countries, despite having recently begun to innovate at a rapid rate, regarding the challenges they face [ 90 ]. Moreover, developing country difficulties can foster innovation capabilities and international competition [ 91 ] since in emerging markets a company gains advantage by learning to improvise with scarce resources and, in the process, to become more innovative than its competition [ 92 ]. Summing up, as Anand et al. [ 93 ] claim, innovation to and from emerging economies is a systemic outcome of an entire innovation milieu and both firms and countries are heterogeneous, following each one an idiosyncratic path in its evolution.

3.2.4. Cross-border knowledge

International business and cross-border flows of trade and investment significantly impact on the economic growth, employment and innovation potential of countries [ 64 ]. In addition, the rapid reshaping of the global economic order requires fundamental changes in international business; as a result, innovation networks will require novel reconfigurations [ 94 , 95 ]. Thus, Cantwell [ 3 ] remembers that there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of absorptive capacity on the part of firms [ 96 ]. In this same line, Contreras et al. [ 97 ] show that companies should have an organizational climate that allows them to acquire and transform knowledge in order to increase their innovativeness and be more competitive in a globalized world. Having this in mind, firms and locations co-evolve with one another, and it is possible to appreciate the rise of knowledge connectivity in innovation systems, that is a new underlying reality of the international business field [ 98 ]. The dynamics of place, space and organization continually generate new domains within which knowledge is leveraged in unique ways [ 99 ]. Knowledge circulates through two types of networks; on the one hand, organization-based linkages, or in other words, pipelines [ 100 ] and, on the other, personal relationships [ 73 ]. Accordingly, digital platforms and ecosystems are a major venue for innovation and have considerable implications for international business [ 101 , 102 ].

Multinational enterprises and subnational governments have increased their level of cooperative activity and create the basis for sustainable economic growth [ 103 ]. Discontinuities between nation-states and spatial heterogeneity within national boundaries are a relevant part of international business with different reasons, such as the historical role of national borders, the magnitude of national governments in international trade, the importance of national institutions in the formulation of business strategy and the decision making and the availability of data [ 104 ]. Hence, it is necessary to refer to the concept of global cities, or in other words, the centres of political power, corporate decision-making, knowledge generation and the exchange and movements of human capital and ideas [ 105 ]. Goerzen et al. [ 106 ] argue that distinctive characteristics of global cities (global interconnectedness, cosmopolitanism, and abundance of advanced production services) help multinational corporations to overcome the costs of doing business abroad. Nevertheless, global cities are not always necessarily the key locations for future multinational investments since knowledge and technology as well as the connection with the capabilities and company goals are crucial [ 107 ]. In any case, as Van Burg et al. [ 108 ] remember, organizational actors’ decisions about interorganizational knowledge transfer might change over time because unforeseen events can prompt actors to quite radically reframe future developments as opportunities or threats.

4. Discussion

This paper performs a systematic literature review of the relationship between innovation and international business. Particularly, using a qualitative/interpretative methodology, evolutionary trends have been recognized and are described in detail. 236 articles were published during the depicted study period 1993–2020. The largest number of articles was published during 2020, highlighting the topicality of the subject. Moreover, to enrich this section, the most recent works are included. The results of this research provide an overview of the knowledge structure of innovation and international business. The results highlight four themes of investigation within a comprehensive and multidimensional framework: Innovative activities of multinational corporations, Global value chains, Innovation in emerging economies, and Cross-border knowledge.

About the first theme, this systematic literature review shows that the multinational corporation is the most important kind of firm for innovation development in the international scenery. Thus, the location choice for its subsidiaries and its local environment is basic for the innovations' development [ 51 , 52 ] and also for the geographies of innovation [ 109 ]. This agrees with a very current line of research, which shows that the growing tendency of local technological innovation of multinational corporations, together with the increasing relevance of subsidiaries, are promoting subsidiaries' engagement in conducting innovation activities [ 110 ]. In the same way, managers’ characteristics, such as prior multinational corporations work experience and industry experience, affect subsidiary innovation [ 111 ].

As previously reported, in the field of international business two models are basic; however, although the Uppsala model keeps capturing the interest of scholars and is still one of the most cited frameworks in this area [ 112 ], it is confirmed that the born global firms’ phenomenon is very present in current literature. As Hennart et al. [ 113 ] remember, born global firms make large foreign sales at birth or shortly afterwards since they own valuable resources (for instance, advanced technologies and a high international orientation), and specific internationalization strategies (such as networks). Given the nature of this study, it should be specified that innovation plays a relevant role in the creation of born global firms [ 114 , 115 ]; moreover, born global firms contend with environmental dynamism in global markets, compelling these companies to enhance their innovation capabilities [ 116 ].

The second theme reveals a new conceptual approach, the global value chains as referred in the relationship between multinational corporations and global innovation systems [ 64 ] in view of the fact that nowadays international lead firms integrate their geographically dispersed partners, specialized suppliers, and customers in these global value chains or global production networks [ 117 ]. This new conceptual approach is confirmed due to the necessity of the adoption of a more holistic view of global value chains since this action will provide a clearer picture of how the organization and outcomes of innovative activities have evolved in this specific context [ 118 ].

About the third theme, this study supports the forecasts that indicate that emerging economies will have more economic power in the upcoming years. Therefore, this stated theme emphasizes, in the context of innovation, the opportunities for multinational corporations, local institutions, and stakeholders [ 85 ]. In any case, legal systems in emerging countries must be strengthened by harder competition laws that encourage the kind of competition that is based on innovation [ 119 ]; moreover, emerging market multinational enterprises have consolidated their global presence recently, challenging international business’ theories [ 120 ]; consequently, strengths and weaknesses are more pronounced when firms face competitors from emerging markets [ 121 ].

Finally, the fourth theme is Cross-border knowledge, which, in the internationalization context, impacts on the potential innovation of the countries [ 64 ], requiring relevant changes in their innovation networks [ 95 ]. In this sense, interaction and communication among their different intra-organizational networks facilitate multinational corporation knowledge transfer [ 122 ], whereas born global firms exploit different types of knowledge and networks to develop international opportunities [ 123 ]. Consequently, Freixanet and Churakova [ 124 ] point out to a reduction in the transaction costs as companies gain internationalization knowledge. Hence, internationalized companies devote substantial efforts to deploying and maintaining digital platforms, which plays an increasingly important role in today's digitally connected world [ 125 ].

4.1. Limitations

This study is supported by official data from 236 articles located in the Web of Science database and it has followed a rigorous research methodology. However, the scope of this kind of study always tends to involve some limitations. Firstly, other databases (Scopus or Google Scholar, for instance) have been excluded from the search. Secondly, while keywords (as innovation and international business) have been selected to cover the chosen areas as completely as possible, it could still be possible that important contributions were missed. Furthermore, certain sources of information have been not targeted (meetings, review articles, books, and editorial materials, among others). It must also be taken into consideration that the only considered area of research has been the Business Economics area (other ones, such as Computer Science or Engineering were not considered relevant enough due to the topic of the current study). In order to finish, only English language publications have been included in this analysis (thus, other languages like Spanish, Korean, or Russian were eliminated). Overall, as Greenhalgh et al. [ 126 ] defend, the literature is complex and the approach is somewhat unconventional, leading to other researchers to inevitably identify a different set of primary sources; being this an inherent characteristic of any systematic review.

4.2. Recommendations for future research

This study has strong implications for researchers. Bearing in mind the results of this investigation, it is recommended to expand the scope of this specific study to related innovation and international business topics targeting opportunities for improvement in both areas. There are multiple themes that require further research. Thus, future studies should deepen into the relationship between those specific topics, although this subject could not be an easy one. As previously stated, to enrich this section, the most recent works have been included. The implications of this study allow to answer the RQ2 question posed earlier, that is to say: “Which themes about both areas require further research?”

For instance, the global value chain requires to be fully studied in order to address the participation of multinational corporations in an understandable way holding a comparative environment between countries [ 127 ] since, as Buciuni and Pisano [ 128 ] confirm, there are a plurality of global value chain structures and a variety of innovation models within the global value chain. Similarly, the international business literature has given little attention to the comparison between the performance of advanced economy multinational corporations and the emerging market multinational corporations acting in international markets [ 129 ]. In the same way, in recent years open innovation has become a basic paradigm regarding the specific literature about innovation. However, throughout this research only one article [ 130 ] discusses the relationship between this topic and multinational corporations. In addition, a lack of specificity has been observed in the current literature regarding the role of social innovation in multinational corporation since only one recent article of this study [ 131 ] suggests to ask why and how this companies engage in social innovations. Likewise, although corporate social responsibility is a relevant factor in multinational corporation's competitiveness, only one depicted article [ 132 ] studies the development of corporate social responsibility in international business.

Furthermore, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on international business has barely been discussed; leading to only one article in this study addressing this question [ 133 ]. The Covid-19 pandemic is an external shock that has disrupted the foundations of our everyday life [ 134 ], not only by changing the structure of the world economy, but also by leading to lasting impacts on the international business strategies of multinational corporations [ 135 ]. This pandemic encourages multinational firms to diversify their supply chains in order to retain innovation opportunities [ 136 ] due to the uncertainty of some innovations during that time [ 137 ]. Hence, it is necessary to shed light on the long-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on international business, although the true effects on multinational corporations and global value chains can only be judged over time [ 138 ]. In any case, analysing the impact of this virus in the new context of the internationalized companies becomes a necessity.

Future studies could offer more evidence about different topics in the internationalization area (for instance, innovation network adaptation, economic performance, social media, stakeholders, and corruption). Also, the importance of human resource management in the international business context should be reviewed in the near future [ 139 ]. In the same way, the majority of the studies have examined outward firm internationalization; however the phenomenon of inbound internationalization is limited and, as Bianchi and Stoian [ 140 ] add, innovation drives that inbound internationalization.

On this basis, international business scholars may contribute to addressing these knowledge gaps through research and lecturing. Therefore, this study identifies a set of analysis challenges that can be used as a research agenda for the international business research community. To conclude the present section, final remarks for practitioners are advised since the results of this work could also be useful to CEOs and managers of multinational corporations, and overall, international entrepreneurs; particularly those working in the innovation field (management, processes, or networks, among others). From a managerial viewpoint, these practitioners have encountered difficulties to align their different strategies many times. Thus, these results provide guidance to practitioners that adjust their innovation strategies along with their international business strategies in a complex competitive environment. Likewise, this paper allows a better comprehension of the dynamic reality and identifies challenges that can be used and employed by decision-makers when dealing with the unforeseen internationalization process.

5. Conclusions

Nowadays, companies seek innovation in their countries of origin and abroad in order to compete globally. Therefore, innovation is a key factor for entering into international markets. This systematic literature review shows that there is indeed a strong relationship between innovation and international business; four themes of investigation within a comprehensive and multidimensional framework are found: Innovative activities of multinational corporations, Global value chains, Innovation in emerging economies, and Cross-border knowledge. These four research trends highlight the strategic importance of innovation in international business. Nevertheless, even when the number of articles addressing such topics is growing, this research work underlines that there is still a great opportunity for studying the relationship between those concepts. Thus, incorporating innovation into internationalized companies’ strategies is a main issue in current times, even more considering the changing and challenging world that we live in.

Author contribution statement

All authors listed have significantly contributed to the development and the writing of this article.

Funding statement

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, private, or not-for-profit sectors. The Open access publishing of the article was funded by University of Malaga.

Data availability statement

Declaration of interest’s statement.

The authors declare no competing interests.

1 The 236 articles were written by 575 authors. Table 3 shows the most relevant authors to the research topic. Authors such as Knight, Gary A.; Buckley, Peter J.; Cantwell, John; Coviello, Nicole; Kim, Daekwan; Kolk, Ans; Lewin, Arie Y.; Luo, Yadong; Massini, Silvia; Mudambi, Ram; Peeters, Carine; and Tippmann, Esther, have each one three or more publications during the 1993–2020 period. Furthermore, thirty-nine authors contributed to at least two articles each one.

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Business Management

10 Trending Business Management Research Topics in 2024

Home Blog Business Management 10 Trending Business Management Research Topics in 2024

Business management has become essential for staying competitive and profitable in today's fast-paced world. It encompasses understanding all aspects of business, from its structure to finance, marketing, and strategy. Pursuing a postgraduate course in business management, such as PGDM, requires writing a well-researched paper to kickstart one's career.

However, the biggest challenge lies in selecting a relevant and trending research topic. To help with this, we have compiled a list of ten business management research paper topics that are currently trending in 2024, covering advancements in technology and innovative leadership strategies. Enrolling in Business Management training courses can further enhance your skills and knowledge, enabling you to take your career to new heights. So, let's delve into these cutting-edge topics together and gain insights for career growth.

What are some Good Business Management Research Topics?

Every aspect of business, like strategy, finance, operations, and management, is essential. So, it’s hard to say that a particular area of research is more significant. Choosing the best research topic in business management within your area of interest or specialization is one way to decide what your business management research project will be about. It is also a learning process and an opportunity to showcase your in-depth knowledge.

But if you want to explore other options, write about trending issues and events in the business world, and learn something new, here’s a list of 10 research proposal topics in business management that can help you create an engaging and practical project. You can also take a CCBA training certification to learn more in-depth about business management.

Conflict Management in a Work Team

With businesses going global, team management has escalated from merely managing people to guiding, mentoring and resolving conflicts among individuals. Teams with multicultural members from different departments are fertile ground for conflicts. If you are looking for international business management research topics, conflict management in work teams is an excellent option.

This research will give you an insight into the various causes of conflict and different techniques and methods of conflict resolution within global multi-lingual and multi-cultural teams enabling you to lead teams successfully and keep disruptions minimal. Better teams translate to better productivity and, eventually, revenue. On the personal front, it means career growth, leadership roles, and higher pay scales for you.

The Role of Women in Business Management

In contemporary society, women have made notable strides in shattering patriarchal norms and embracing diverse opportunities and career paths, thereby demonstrating their strength and autonomy. While women encounter challenges in assuming leadership roles, often stemming from prevailing cultural attitudes, their presence in business management positions is more prevalent than commonly perceived. This prompts inquiry into the factors that contribute to the exceptional success of certain women in managerial positions and the unique value they bring to such roles. Exploring this subject through qualitative research could yield insightful findings regarding women's impact on business management.

Issues that Affect the Management of Business Startups

The COVID-19 pandemic drove everyone online and created a new digital startup ecosystem. However, while it may be easy to set up a digital business, sustenance, scaling, and growth are some of the challenges that follow. If you are entrepreneurial, your research title about business management should read something like “Challenges in the startup ecosystem.” Such research covers issues that affect the management of business startups. It covers the various factors that lead to success and the pitfalls and obstacles on the growth trajectory. It covers effective strategies to mitigate or work around challenges, and this is where you can get creative. Limiting your research to startups is okay, but you can also cover significant ground across other business models.

Consequences of Excessive Work in Business

Work-life balance is the buzzword in today’s business environment. If you choose to write your thesis on the impact of excessive work in business, it could well escalate to international levels as everyone talks about employee well-being, from corporates to SMEs and top management to HR.

The single most significant reason behind this is the instances of early burnout seen in the past. Secondly, globalization is another cause for concern since people are often required to work multiple shifts. Lastly, the recent trend of post-Covid layoffs that have driven the need for side hustle makes it even more necessary to keep track of how hectic business operations are.

Why You Should Start a New Business After One Fails

Failure is the steppingstone to success. Or so the saying goes. The recent outcrop of start-ups has proven this to be true. If one venture fails, do not give up. Learn from the experience and start again. Not only is that the mantra of the current generation, but it is also among the trending quantitative research topics in business management.

The main objective and outcome of this business management research topic are to explore lessons learned from failures, the advantages of starting afresh, and the strategies for overcoming the fear of failure.

Importance of Inter-organizational Leadership and Networks

This research focuses on managing global networks in leadership roles. It is among the hot favorite research topics for business management students considering how businesses are going global. If you are an aspiring global entrepreneur or leader, you would want to know more about local and global inter-organizational networks, how things work, how people communicate, etc. Researching inter-organizational leadership and networks can provide insights into businesses' challenges and opportunities when building and maintaining relationships. Managing these relationships is another challenging part of the process, and that is what you will learn through this research.

How to Manage Organizational Crisis in Business

Not only is crisis management a critical leadership skill, but today's turbulent business environment is fertile ground for an organizational crisis. Globalization, digitization, and the startup ecosystem have disrupted the environment. Barring corporates, a crisis can strike any business at any time and bailing out of that crisis is the responsibility of the business leadership. Managing an organizational crisis in business is a popular business management research paper topic, especially among MBA students, PGDM, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Product and Service Development in a Strategic Alliance

When it comes to research paper topics related to business management, one area worth exploring is product bundling in a strategic alliance. The ICICI credit card offered to online customers of Amazon India is a classic example.

Development of such strategic products or services requires in-depth product knowledge, knowledge of finance, and of course, a strategic mindset. If you have a strategic mindset and interest in product management, this is one of your best business management research project topics.

Innovation and Network Markets as a Business Strategy

Innovation and Network marketing is an emerging and strategic business model for startups. When entrepreneurs need more resources to raise seed or venture capital for their businesses, they elect to market their products through networking. Social Media platforms like Facebook offer substantial networking opportunities. Choose this probe as your quantitative research topic for business management if you have entrepreneurial aspirations to understand every aspect of this business model and strategy in depth.

Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Social enterprise is any business having a social objective and undertaking activities in the public interest. Writing a research paper on social enterprises and entrepreneurship will lead you to explore opportunities that can bring an innovative change in society and hold business potential. One thing to remember if you want to explore social enterprise and entrepreneurship as one of several business management research titles is that the organizational goal is primarily social impact rather than revenue generation. This research will make you more open to an inclusive idea of growth by bringing you closer to social causes, marginalized communities, and people thriving in them.

Business Research: Types and Methodologies

Business research, like any other research, involves the collection of data and information about your chosen topic, analysis of the information and data gathered, and exploring new possibilities in the field.

Broadly speaking, research may be of two types – Quantitative or Qualitative. Quantitative research, also called empirical research, involves the collection of data from sample groups to answer a question. Qualitative research has more to do with the impact of certain phenomena. Such research is usually an extension of previously researched topics.

The table below highlights the difference between quantitative research topics in business management and qualitative research about business management.

How to Find Business Research Topics?

This is just our list of hot and trending business research topics. To help you discover more research project topics on business management, here are some quick-follow tips:

Identify Your Interests

Start by making a list of the various aspects of business management that interest you. Rate them on a scale of 1-10, with one being the least liked and 10 being your most favorite. You can also narrow down your topic to a specific niche while seeking sample research topics in business management.

Read Academic Journals

You might want to conduct preliminary research on a few of the topics you shortlisted to see if something interesting jumps out at you. One way to do this is by reading academic journals related to your selected area of business management. Findings by earlier researchers may trigger innovative thought.

Attend Events

Attending business events like seminars, conferences, and webinars on topics of interest can help you narrow down your list of research topics related to business management. It is also an excellent way to gather knowledge about your area of interest as well as to grow your network.

Consult your supervisor or Mentor

Your thesis supervisor is a valuable resource when searching for the best research topics in business management. They can guide you about relevant research areas and help you identify potential research questions apart from guiding you on research presentation.

Use Online Resources

Many research journals online allow students access to research papers either free of cost or in exchange for a small fee. Explore this resource and sign up for a few that are relevant to your area of interest.

The world of business management is constantly evolving and finding the right business management research topic might seem like a Herculean task. But, with a little thought, planning, and some research, it is not that hard. So, the 10 topics we've explored in this blog represent some of the most significant areas of development in the field of business management today, from the rise of women as business leaders and to the importance of innovation and network markets. As we move into 2024 and beyond, it's clear that these topics will only continue to grow in importance, shaping the way we do business and interact with the world around us. By staying informed and engaged with the latest research and trends, you can position yourself as a thought leader and innovator in the world of business management.

Also, our pointers on how to discover a business management research topic will help you identify a list of research topics in business management for your thesis. You can then narrow it down to your area of talent or interest. If you still want to know more, you can enroll in our KnowledgeHut Business Management training , where you’ll learn more about the different aspects of business.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Business management is wide in scope, and there is a spectrum of research topics to choose from. The most prominent areas of business include finance, operations, procurement, marketing, and HR. Within each of these, you’ll find several macro and micro niches to explore.

An example of a business research study could be investigating the impact of social media marketing on consumer buying behavior or examining the effectiveness of a new leadership development program in a company.

The 4 types of business research include:

Exploratory
Descriptive

Mansoor Mohammed

Mansoor Mohammed is a dynamic and energetic Enterprise Agile Coach, P3M & PMO Consultant, Trainer, Mentor, and Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in Strategy Execution and Business Agility. With a background in Avionics, Financial Services, Banking, Telecommunications, Retail, and Digital, Mansoor has led global infrastructure and software development teams, launched innovative products, and enabled Organizational Change Management. As a results-driven leader, he excels in collaborating, adapting, and driving partnerships with stakeholders at all levels. With expertise in Change Management, Transformation, Lean, Agile, and Organizational Design, Mansoor is passionate about aligning strategic goals and delivering creative solutions for successful business outcomes. Connect with him to explore change, Agile Governance, implementation delivery, and the future of work.

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A culture of intrapreneurship: 3 practices for organizational innovation

By torie anderson.

In business, reinvention does not happen overnight. It is the result of scaled innovation – years of experimentation to identify and implement solutions to evolving challenges.

However, some senior leaders see innovation only as a one-off like a new product, service upgrade or go-to-market strategy. The misconception can stall a company’s progress toward significant goals and lasting industry impact. Expert faculty from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and ILR School recently shared three tactics organizations can use to integrate innovation throughout their operations.

1. Create a culture of intrapreneurship.

Rather than limiting out-of-the-box thinking to specific projects, executives and managers can guide employees to operate like entrepreneurs within their businesses. Through this approach, known as intrapreneurship, leaders help team members function with the autonomy and accountability to contribute new creative ideas on a continuous basis.

“As I work with companies globally, the primary reason I see innovation ‘getting stuck’ is that organizations approach it as a singular task,” said Neil Tarallo , senior lecturer of management and organizations at the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration. “Innovation is an ongoing process, and it requires commitment, adaptability and a willingness to embrace change.”

Great innovation, according to Tarallo, begins with the C-suite and moves downward throughout an organization. Executives can foster creativity from the top by dismantling rigid hierarchies and empowering employees at all levels to share ideas. Additionally, managers can encourage cross-functional collaboration among teams.

“The companies best positioned to innovate when it is most necessary are those that innovate in small ways every day,” said Tarallo. “These organizations operate in teams that bring a range of specialties and perspectives to each challenge they face. This approach leads to a more forward-thinking culture than can sustain a business in the long term.”

2. Support risk-taking and long-term thinking.

Innovation often requires risk. To help employees adopt a positive risk mindset, leaders can encourage – and reward – experimentation, set realistic expectations for results and make it clear that failures are opportunities to learn and not stairsteps to punitive consequences.

Yuan Shi , assistant professor of management and organizations at the Nolan School, offers additional guidance for executives and managers discussing innovation with backers and shareholders.

“External investors might not immediately grasp the value of ideas that bridge different fields, despite the eventual significant impact of these cross-domain concepts,” Shi said. “Breakthrough innovation demands considerable patience from investors and may face threats from short-term thinking in the market. Firms should embrace longer time horizons and prioritize longer-term returns.”

Shi advises leaders to communicate with transparency, detail the competitive advantages and financial value of innovation and provide regular progress updates with evidence of impact.

3. Earmark resources for innovation.

A lack of resources can be a barrier to success for innovation, but oftentimes the greatest obstacle can be the tendency not to view innovation as an initiative that requires tangible support. According to Brian Lucas , assistant professor of organizational behavior at the Cornell ILR School, leaders may want big ideas but they are unlikely to receive them unless they make provisions for creativity.

“People believe a breakthrough idea is something that just pops into someone’s head, maybe while taking a shower, riding the bus, talking with a colleague or just by thinking hard enough,” said Lucas. “Leaders think that they just need to put out a call for innovation, and eventually one of their workers will have a good idea. Sometimes this happens. But more often breakthrough ideas are the result of deliberate creative work that requires resources.”

Lucas encourages executives to consider the four categories of people, time, space and funding in their efforts to support innovation: “Ask yourself how many people do you have working on new ideas and can these people bring in other people if needed. Do the people have dedicated time for innovation, or are they expected to multitask? Is there dedicated space for creativity and conversation? Do they have money to buy data and research, materials for prototyping, consulting services, travel and more?”

As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) increases, companies can also take steps to ensure that human knowledge and the latest technology can coexist successfully. Businesses can use tech as a tool for employee innovation and provide upskilling resources necessary for new job opportunities .

“Historically, tech advancements lead to employment and economic growth,” Lucas said. “Companies and leaders who view innovation as ongoing work are best equipped to use AI as a resource for creativity and to benefit from its potential.”

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How Does Expropriation Risk Affect Innovation?

We analyze how expropriation risk reduces incentives for innovation and reallocates resources from the innovative sector, building on Romer’s(1990) model. Our framework predicts the R&D expenditure, the share of human capital in R&D, the number of patents, technical progress, and economic growth are all lower due to lower expected profits and patent devaluation in the presence of expropriation risks. Empirical analyses, based on a LASSO Instrumental Variable approach and a novel comprehensive dataset spanning nearly two decades, confirm our theoretical predictions. We find robust evidence that expropriation risk, such as corruption, negatively impacts innovation by reducing R&D expenditure, human capital in R&D, number of patents, scientific publications, and the Economic Complexity Index, which is our proxy for technical progress. These findings highlight the detrimental effects of expropriation risk on innovation and economic development at the country level.

We would like to express our gratitude to Gabriel Cruz for his support as a research assistant. PE is grateful for the support provided by the Centre for Social Conflict and Cohesion Studies COES (ANID/FONDAP/15130009). We are very grateful to seminar participants at Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, and the Strategy, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability group members for their invaluable comments. We also thank comments from Josh Lerner at Harvard University. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

MARC RIS BibTeΧ

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100+ Innovation Research Topics: That You Need To Look Into
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Innovation Digital Article. David L. Rogers. To drive growth, corporate innovation needs to connect to a clear set of strategic priorities and play to the company's strengths. March 18, 2024.
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Top Business Research Topics. Emerging Markets and Business Opportunities. Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership Positions. Cybersecurity Challenges in Modern Businesses. Influence of AI on Business Decision Making. Effective Crisis Management in the Covid-19 Era. CSR and Its Effects on Brand Perception.
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Third, despite the value of innovation, we actually know relatively little about the actual practice of research method innovation. Existing work presents exemplars of innovative methods along the research process from research setting to design, forms of data, data collection, and analysis (cf. Elsbach & Kramer, 2016).Other work (Bansal & Corley, 2011) calls for innovating methods via new ...
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Special Issues devoted to important topics in business innovation and research will occasionally be published. Business innovation and research strategies, tactics and tools of both theoretical and practical nature are welcome. Articles that deal with innovation and research issues in accounting and finance, marketing, management information ...
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This paper explains the role of innovation in the cybersecurity industry and identifies the major developers related to inventions. Financial Companies' Risks and Innovations. This essay aims to explore the reasons for the propensity to innovate and the maintenance of risk among financial companies.
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This Research Topic expands the current understanding by bringing together entrepreneurship and innovation management experts. We begin by surveying what is known about entrepreneurship development and innovation management research; then, we explain how each piece adds to the body of knowledge and business practices.
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A classic topic in international business research is the multinational corporation. ... it is recommended to expand the scope of this specific study to related innovation and international business topics targeting opportunities for improvement in both areas. There are multiple themes that require further research. Thus, future studies should ...
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To help with this, we have compiled a list of ten business management research paper topics that are currently trending in 2024, covering advancements in technology and innovative leadership strategies. Enrolling in Business Management training courses can further enhance your skills and knowledge, enabling you to take your career to new heights.
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In business, reinvention does not happen overnight. It is the result of scaled innovation - years of experimentation to identify and implement solutions to evolving challenges. However, some senior leaders see innovation only as a one-off like a new product, service upgrade or go-to-market strategy.
How Does Expropriation Risk Affect Innovation?
We analyze how expropriation risk reduces incentives for innovation and reallocates resources from the innovative sector, building on Romer's(1990) model. Our framework predicts the R&D expenditure, the share of human capital in R&D, the number of patents, technical progress, and economic growth are all lower due to lower expected profits and ...

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