Title: Risks in major innovation projects, a multiple case study within a world's leading company in the fast moving consumer goods

Authors: Jimme A. Keizer, Johannes I.M. Halman

Addresses: Faculty of Technology Management, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Zuyd University, Heerlen, P.O. Box 5268, 6130 PG Sittard, The Netherlands. ' Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Abstract: This paper investigates which risks characterise radical innovation projects. In-dept case studies were carried out via interviews and a questionnaire. The risk concept applied in this study includes three dimensions: certainty, controllability and impact. Three structural or unambiguous risks were found: new product performance according to specification, reliability of suppliers and new product adoption by consumers. The incidental or ambiguous risks that were found relate to: internal organisation and project management. These results can provide guidance for project teams and innovation managers regarding issues they must seek to tick off early and issues that continuously require team and management attention.

Keywords: new product development; NPD; radical innovation; innovations risks; case studies; project management; fast moving consumer goods; FMCG; innovation management; risk management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2009.026691

International Journal of Technology Management, 2009 Vol.48 No.4, pp.499 - 517

Published online: 23 Jun 2009 *

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