Under construction: action research in innovation measurement
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
ISSN: 1753-8378
Article publication date: 23 November 2020
Issue publication date: 21 January 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper has chosen a participatory action design (PAD) to approach the construction of KPIs in a novel way. A PAD will assist the researcher to encourage involvement, engagement of multiple stakeholders in the KPIs construction process.
Design/methodology/approach
A workshop series based on participatory action design was developed together with the researcher and stakeholders at the innovation department of a large international organization. PAD facilitated interaction between the researcher, stakeholders, and KPIs under construction.
Findings
The findings show that the PAD workshops created interlevel collaboration and group dynamics in constructing the KPI. The knowledge that was shared during the PAD workshops enabled an understanding of the process of constructing a KPI in innovation, where stakeholders design and implement simultaneously. In the end, it was a challenge to construct a KPI using the PAD, as certain conditions seemed not to be.
Research limitations/implications
This paper enhances our empirical understanding of applying PAD to construct KPIs in innovation. This study adds to the growing interest in literature to implement novel methods such as PAD to construct a KPI in innovation.
Practical implications
Practically, the findings of this study will inform managers in innovation (projects) to use a method such as PAD to construct KPIs in innovation. This study shows the implication of using a PAD for a KPI and what opportunities and challenges it can bring.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the few papers that address using the participatory action design methodology for the construction of KPIs in innovation. To date, PAD is rarely used to construct KPIs in innovation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work would not be accomplished without valuable comments provided by Professor Lars Bengtsson and Ola Alexandersson. Special thanks to the guest editors of this issue and the reviewers for their efforts and their critical and constructive feedback, which helped to improve the quality of this paper. This work was supported by a donation made by a group of Swedish companies to celebrate LTHs 50th year of existence, and in addition the financing of the Swedish Research School for Management and IT.
Citation
Svensson de Jong, I. (2021), "Under construction: action research in innovation measurement", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 87-107. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-01-2020-0036
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited