Innovation in trade

Purpose and goal

With the purpose to contribute to increased innovation capability and innovative business development within retail, the project has contributed to a deeper understanding of innovation in general and for innovation management in particular. The project has primarily contributed to insight into what a more strategic and systematic approach means in relation to the current incremental, loosely structured ways of working with innovation in retail. Participating companies testify to how the project has brought new perspectives and models for innovative business development.

Expected results and effects

The study has contributed to an in-depth understanding of innovation in general and the participating organizations’ innovative capabilities in particular, contributing to the development and/or adaptation of plans, processes and methods for innovation management within retail. The outcome has been presented in scientific and popular science articles and also included a workshop for retail industry representatives. The most central conclusion is that the ingredients required for innovation management are present, but a systematic and more strategic approach is lacking.

Planned approach and implementation

Two companies within the Swedish retail industry has been subject to research conducted by researchers at Lund University and the Royal Institute of Technology during 2017 and 2018. The project has been divided into three phases: a qualitative assessment of innovation management and measurement of the organizations´ innovative capabilities (quantitative), an iterative development of action plans and processes for innovation, and analysis and presentation of results. The study is based on established models for innovation management and tools for measuring innovative climate.