Journal of Material Sciences & Engineering

Game Changing Innovation Ecosystem Development (GIDE) A Systematic Methodology (Meta-Framework) and Conceptual Algorithm Enabling Organizations to Develop, Deploy and Measure Innovation Impact in the VUCA World

Abstract

Horseman S.J*, Goede T.L, Basri E.H, Al Nazawi F, Clouse R.L, Seba M, Morgan S, Quigley K and Ghaleb. S

Organizations have been thrust into a VUCA1 world as an outcome of the global COVID-19 pandemic challenges. VUCA is a worldview that is founded upon environments that are volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA). Having the ability to be fast, agile and adaptable are the core competencies for VUCA survival, thus making innovation a critical success factor in business sustainability in this new world we are challenged with. Despite this value proposition argument the age-old question of “how can we effectively measure innovation impact?” within a company still exists.

Methodology: This common dilemma presents an opportunity to further critique what innovation metrics and assumptions are more relevant in a new environment such as the VUCA world? Through surveying workforce professionals confirmed that the workforce at large, are also searching for more compelling and systematic metrics that can create and sustain innovation within organizations. In addition to compiling eight years of research that systematically evaluates innovation as it relates to four organizational dimensions (Governance, Culture, Process and Design) in the VUCA world. This real-world case study based on longitudinal actionbased research (N=3567) analyzes how investing and sustaining intellectual human capital through critical systems thinking, mentor-matching and ecosystem development is critical for successful design, development and deployment of innovation within organizations.

Outcome: The outcome of this longitudinal case study is the construction of a meta-framework and algorithm. In applying the combined methodologies of Total Systems Intervention (TSI) through the organizational dimensions of culture and design (soft systems), process and governance (hard systems); a factor analysis algorithm was developed so that organizations can also apply this systematic methodology to position innovation as a business driver and strategic imperative. Therefore, such research outcomes have contributed towards the development of an integrated meta-framework and proposed metric the maturity innovation ecosystem conceptual algorithm which is the business application of GIDE.

Conclusion: Furthermore, an action plan based upon validation research, machine learning simulations and industry case studies is the logical progression of this research work. The objective is to further investigate how GIDE provides a significant knowledge and business contribution for organizations, small-medium enterprises (SME) and startups collectively.