Title: Empirical analysis and classification of innovation management software

Authors: Stefan Hüsig; Karl Waldmannstetter

Addresses: University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany ' Neosignum, 93309 Kelheim, Germany

Abstract: This paper examines current developments in the field of innovation management and Computer-Aided Innovation (CAI) which are computer-aided tools and methodologies frequently used for the early stages of the innovation process by means of an empirical study on a specific sub-field of CAI, namely 'Innovation Management Software' (IMS). An online survey and complementary published data by suppliers of IMS tools were used as the basis for the empirical study. The collected data was evaluated using a value benefit analysis. We identified and analysed 67 IMS tools in detail and developed a novel classification scheme for IMS by using the dimensions of functional range and area of application in the innovation process. The results indicate that also in the IMS-category the largest supply is focused at the FFE activities which results in a significant improvement potential for the early stages of the innovation process.

Keywords: IMS; innovation management systems; market study; CAI; computer-aided innovation; NPD; new product development; FFE; fuzzy front end; classification; product innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2013.053497

International Journal of Product Development, 2013 Vol.18 No.2, pp.134 - 146

Received: 03 Apr 2012
Accepted: 02 Nov 2012
Published online: 20 Sep 2014 *

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