Managing the Front End of Innovation in a Networked Company Environment - Combining Strategy, Processes and Systems of Innovation

The objective of the thesis is to enhance the understanding about the management of the front end phases of the innovation process in a networked environment. The thesis approaches the front end of innovation from three perspectives, including the strategy, processes and systems of innovation. The purpose of the use of different perspectives in the thesis is that of providing an extensive systemic view of the front end, and uncovering the complex nature of innovation management. The context of the research is the networked operating environment of firms. The unit of analysis is the firm itself or its innovation processes, which means that this research approaches the innovation networks from the point of view of a firm. The strategy perspective of the thesis emphasises the importance of purposeful innovation management, the innovation strategy of firms. The role of innovation processes is critical in carrying out innovation strategies in practice, supporting the development of organizational routines for innovation, and driving the strategic renewal of companies. The primary focus of the thesis from systems perspective is on idea management systems, which are defined as a part of innovation management systems, and defined for this thesis as any working combination of methodology and tools (manual or IT-supported) that enhance the management of innovations within their early phases. The main contribution of the thesis are the managerial frameworks developed for managing the front end of innovation, which purposefully ���wire��� the front end of innovation into the strategy and business processes of a firm. The thesis contributes to modern innovation management by connecting the internal and external collaboration networks as foundational elements for successful management of the early phases of innovation processes in a dynamic environment. The innovation capability of a firm is largely defined by its ability to rely on and make use of internal and external collaboration already during the front end activities, which by definition include opportunity identification and analysis, idea generation, profileration and selection, and concept definition. More specifically, coordination of the interfaces between these activities, and between the internal and external innovation environments of a firm is emphasised. The role of information systems, in particular idea management systems, is to support and delineate the innovation-oriented behaviour and interaction of individuals and organizations during front end activities. The findings and frameworks developed in the thesis can be used by companies for purposeful promotion of their front end processes. The thesis provides a systemic strategy framework for managing the front end of innovation ��� not as a separate process, but as an elemental bundle ofactivities that is closely linked to the overall innovation process and strategy of a firm in a distributed environment. The theoretical contribution of the thesis relies on the advancement of the open innovation paradigm in the strategic context of a firm within its internal and external innovation environments. This thesis applies the constructive research approach and case study methodology to provide theoretically significant results, which are also practically beneficial.

Approaches to Supply Chain Risk Management: Identification, Analysis and Control

Supply chain risk management has emerged as an increasingly important issue in logistics as disruptions in the supply chain have become critical issues for many companies. The scientific literature on the subject is developing and in many respects the understanding of it is still in its infancy. Thus, there is a need for more information in order for scholars and practitioners to understand the causalities and interrelations that characterise the phenomenon. The aim of this dissertation is to narrow this gap by exploring key aspects of supply chain risk management through two maritime supply chains in the immediate region of the Gulf of Finland. The study contributes to the field in three different ways. Firstly, it facilitates the identification of risks on different levels of the supply chain through a systematic analysis of the processes and actors, and of the cognitive barriers that limit the actors��� visibility and their understanding of the operations and the risks involved. There is a clear need to increase collaboration and information exchange in order to improve visibility in the chain. Risk management should be a collaborative effort among the individual actors, aimed at obtaining a holistic picture. Secondly, the study contributes to the literature on risk analysis through the use of systemic frameworks that illustrate the causalities and linkages in the system, thereby making it easier to perceive the vulnerabilities. Thirdly, the study enhances current knowledge of risk control in identifying actor roles, risk visibility and risk controllability as being among the key factors determining risk-management effectiveness against supply-chain vulnerability. This dissertation is divided into two parts. The first part gives a general overview of the relevant literature, the research design and the conclusions of the study, and the second part comprises six research publications. Case-study methodology with systematic combining approach is used, where in-depth interviews, questionnaires and expert panel sessions are the main data collection methods. The study illustrates the current state of risk management in multimodal maritime supply chains, and develops frameworks for further analysis. The results imply that there are major differences between organizations in their ability to execute supply chain risk management. Further collaboration should be considered in order to facilitate the development of systematic and effective management processes.

When Metadata Collides: Lessons on Combining Records from Multiple Repository Systems.

Presentation at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Tapiola-ryhm��n Yhti��kokousj��rjestelm��-ohjelmiston m����rittely ja suunnittelu

T��ss�� insin����rity��ss�� selvitettiin mahdollisuuksia parantaa Tapiola-ryhm��n Yhti��kokousj��rjestelm��-ohjelmiston ominaisuuksia ja tietoturvallisuutta. J��rjestelm���� k��ytet����n Tapiola-ryhm��n vakuutusyhti��iden yhti��kokouksiin osallistuvien osakkaiden kirjaamiseen ja heid��n ����nten laskentaan. Tutkimuksen perusteella tehtiin j��rjestelm��n m����rittely ja suunnittelu, joiden tuloksena syntyiv��t toiminnallinen ja tekninen m����rittelydokumentaatio, jotka toimivat pohjana uuden Yhti��kokousj��rjestelm��n toteutukselle. Ty�� tehtiin Tapiola-ryhm��lle Tieto-Tapiola Oy:n tilauksesta. Ty��n alussa tutkittiin erilaisia mahdollisuuksia toteuttaa j��rjestelm��n ohjelmisto- ja tietokanta-arkkitehtuuri, joiden perusteella m����rittely�� ja suunnittelua alettiin toteuttaa. Tutkimuksen perusteella p����dyttiin k��ytt��m����n Java SE -arkkitehtuuria sovelluksen toteutukseen ja SQL Server -tietokantaa j��rjestelm��n tietovarastona. Valittuihin ratkaisuihin p����dyttiin niiden hyvien tietoturvallisuus- ja kertakirjausominaisuuksien takia. Toiminnallisessa m����rittelydokumentissa k��yd����n l��pi j��rjestelm��lle asetettuja vaatimuksia ja kuvataan sen toiminnot, liiketoimintaluokkamalli, k��ytt��liittym�� ja tulosteet. Lis��ksi siin�� otetaan kantaa j��rjestelm��n k��ytt��ymp��rist����n, ulkoisiin tietokantaliittymiin, k��ytt��j��n tunnistautumiseen ja tietoturvallisuuteen sek�� k��yd����n l��pi sen toiminta k��ytt��jien n��k��kulmasta. Toiminnallisen m����rittelydokumentin pohjalta luotiin tekninen m����rittelydokumentti. Siin�� kuvataan j��rjestelm��n ymp��rist�� ja ohjelmisto- sek�� tietokanta-arkkitehtuuri yleisell�� tasolla. T��m��n lis��ksi j��rjestelm��n arkkitehtuuria k��yd����n my��s tarkemmin l��pi sek�� kuvataan moduulit ja toiminnot niin tarkasti, ett�� niiden perusteella voidaan toteuttaa koko j��rjestelm��. Ty��n tuloksena syntyiv��t kattava toiminnallinen ja tekninen m����rittelydokumentaatio, joissa k��yd����n l��pi kaikki j��rjestelm��n toteuttamiseen tarvittavat elementit sill�� tarkkuudella, ett�� j��rjestelm��n toteuttaminen voidaan aloittaa.

Secondary Aural Symptoms in Relation to Cranio-Cervical and General Disorders

The present thesis comprises two study populations. The first study sample (SS1) consisted of 411 adults examined and interviewed at three annual visits. The second study sample (SS2) consisted of 1720 adults who filled in a mailed questionnaire about secondary otalgia, tinnitus and fullness of ears. In the second phase of the SS2, 100 subjects with otalgia were examined and interviewed by specialist in stomatognathic physiology and otorhinolaryngology. In the third phase, 36 subjects participated in a randomized, controlled and blinded trial of effectiveness of occlusal appliance on secondary otalgia, facial pain, headache and treatment need of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The standardized prevalence of recurrent secondary otalgia was 6%, tinnitus 15% and fullness of ears 8%. Aural symptoms were more frequent among young than old subjects. They were associated with other, simultaneous aural symptoms, TMD pain, head and neck region pain, and visits to a physician. The subjects with aural symptoms more often had tenderness on palpation of masticatory muscles and clinical signs of temporomandibular joint than the subjects without. 85% of the subjects reporting secondary otalgia had cervical spine or temporomandibular disorder or both. In SS1, the final model of secondary otalgia included active need treatment for TMD, elevated level of stress symptoms, and bruxism. In SS2, the final models of aural symptoms included associated aural symptoms, young age, TMD pain, headache and shoulder ache. Stabilization splint more effectively alleviated secondary otalgia and active treatment need for TMD than a palatal control splint. In patients with aural pain, tinnitus or fullness of ears, it is important to first rule out otologic and nasopharyngeal diseases that may cause the symptoms. If no explanation for aural symptoms is found, temporomandibular and cervical spine disorders should be rouled out to minimize unnecessary visits to a physician.