Developing Innovation and Creativity for Business Advantage

This project report explores the concept of innovation and creativity in business organizations, focusing on Stockholm Gas organization. It discusses the approach to innovation, the role of team management in a teeth whitening project, and the open and closed models of innovation. The report also highlights the characteristics of organizational knowledge and thinking.

Developing Innovation and
Creativity for Business
Advantage

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
1. Approach to innovation for Stockholm Gas organisation.......................................................1
2. Role of a member of the team management in teeth whitening project..................................3
3. Open model and closed model of innovation and justification...............................................6
4. Recommendation to the board to make investment in new product project.........................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Innovation is defined as a process which involves number of activities to generate some
new methods to perform some activities and some new goods and services for consumption.
Through innovation new ideas are transformed into productive goods and services so that more
value can be created for consumers. Innovation is the process which creates bigger opportunities
for businesses and provides economic growth and success to organisation by generating a range
of more and more satisfied consumer group. Innovation and creativity application on business
organisations on continuous basis leads to generation of various amount of advantages through
which business can enjoy more and more amount of success. Innovation leads to generation of
certain amount of risk for businesses as new technologies and huge amount of investments ar5e
required to make investments in new projects (Stockholm Gas AB, 2019). This project report is
based on Stockholm Gas organisation which is based in Sweden. It is an industrial gas company
which possess rich history of successful R&D and grabbed a dominant position in the market.
The organisation is established over 70 countries with 32000 employees. Sales in the last year
£12.1 billion and annual research and development expenses budgeted at £100 million. This
organisation has a well established gas network and operate through pipelines which are
maintained in Stockholm, Solna and Sundbyberg. This organisations deals with number of gases
and serves them to different industries for production of various goods and services.
In this project an innovation is applied by this organisation with application for use of
plasma as a cleaning agent for whitening teeth. The project report contains details regarding
innovation concept and analysis of creativity thinking and different models of innovation.
Characteristics of organisational knowledge and organisational thinking (Anderson, Potočnik,
and Zhou, 2014).
MAIN BODY
1. Approach to innovation for Stockholm Gas organisation
Innovation is a process through which new approaches are introduced so that innovative
thoughts can be moulded to provide better solutions for new requirements for unarticulated needs
in the existing consumer group . Stockholm Gas organisation deals in various gases and have a
glorious history of innovation through serving liquid oxygen gas to healthcare industry and
carbon dioxide to beverages and drinks industry. The organisation has acchieved success and
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making all the possible actions so that future opportunities can be grabbed and become
successful in order to achieve targeted objectives.
Their are several innovation approaches available in the market and some of them are
specially designed as commercial approached for enhancing business operations (Casadesus‐
Masanell and Zhu, 2013). Stockholm Gas organisation through its effective R&D making
innovation through signifiant amount of modification in its products and services provided to
targeted consumer group. Through innovation a new product on the basis of requirement in the
industry is introduced for whitening teeth and attract more and more amount of interested
consumers. As Stockholm Gas organisation possess their focus on productive research and
development so that future opportunities can be grabbed. In this relation a team of qualified and
knowledge individuals who are efficient to take all the business decision regarding in the
competitive business environment.
The process of innovation in this organisation stats with a meeting of all the team
members so that viability of the project can be analysed. In that meeting all the aspects related to
innovation will be discussed so that a better view point can be generated. Through this a
innovative idea which provides best results and minimise cost for better future is introduced in
the market by Stockholm Gas organisation. In the process of introducing one of the research to a
product Stockholm organisation needs to make an analysis of opinions of all the team members
of innovation who perform different operations. A new product which is specialised for teeth
whitening is ready to be introduced in the market. The R&D project leader is with a opinion to
use Plasma in their product as it will provide whitening to teeth tried and tasted in the university
of Colombia (Chen and Hou, 2016).
Bernard Bing is product development manager is concerned with market statistics to
provide detailed information regarding target market and its requirements. As per his analysis of
the market current operators are not able to provide goods that leads to generate high amount of
satisfaction to target consumers. As per product manager organisation is also available with
opportunities especially in terms of licensing technology. Usage of effective technology and
generate an opportunity for business organisation. So as per him business must introduce and
develop its product which is based on technology so that huge amount of competitive advantage
can be received in the industry. Licensing manager was of the opinion that when this for of
innovative product will be generate and served in market then licensing can be provided to use
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their technology for a specific amount. This will leads to generation of additional revenue for
business when through licensing their innovation to others in the industry.
Analysing opinions of different individuals who are in the innovative team of Stockholm
Gas organisation results that commercial approach of innovation is followed in the business. This
is an approach which does not wait decades for a new innovation (Chen and Chang, 2013). Is is
about identifying an opportunity existing in the market on the basis of needs and requirements of
targeted consumers who are willing to pay a specific amount for new products and services
introduced. This innovation approach aims at enhancing consumer value and make changes for
improving the value offering or business model through which consumers can be satisfied to the
maximum. As per this approach Stockholm Gas organisation is focusing on developing a new
teeth whitening product through plasma which is requirement of the consumers. This innovation
decision is taken after analysing the complete market scenario which leads to generation of more
and more amount of sustainable development. Innovation and creativity level of the organisation
will help in establishing a good competition in the market and provide competitive advantage
over others by introducing the required products in the market and acquiring a good market
position.
2. Role of a member of the team management in teeth whitening project
In an innovation team of business organisations there are number of individuals involves
who are associated with different works that needs to be performed on the basis of their job
provided. As Stockholm Gas organisation is one of the well known innovative organisation and
its innovative team consists several members and Michael Glass plays most important role as
R&D project leader of the company (Chrobot-Mason and Aramovich, 2013). He is involved in
the innovative project of the organisation and as a team leader he is responsible for guiding a
group of employees in the process of completion of the project. He is also responsible for
developing and implementing a timeline for the team members so that a goal can be set to
achieve targeted objectives.
Role of project leader in organisation
Michael Glass is team leader of Stockholm organisation and plays crucial role in the
decision making process of a innovative project for introducing a product which provides white
teeth. In this relation all the information which is acquired by him will be analysed completely so
that a productive results can be provided to all the team members. As a leader he is the who will
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guide all the team members of the organisation for initiating and performing assigned activity in
defined manner to attain set targets. He is the person who is available with huge amount of
knowledge and experience which will be used in the process so that each individual can use their
own knowledge and skills in the most innovative manner to generate productive results. A leader
in organisation make each possible efforts so that each individual involves perform their activity
in productive manner and also generate a coordination through which targeted goals and
objectives can be achieved (Role of a Project Leader, 2019). Together with this as a team leader
all the members of the project will be induced so that they can perform their activity in the best
manner to generate productive results. Some of the important role that a team leader plays are as
follows-
Strategy development: A team leader is involved in the process of development of a
strategy on the basis of goals and objective of the organisation. This leads to establishing roles
and responsibilities for all the team members so that level of their performance can be improved.
Michael Glass as a leader of innovation project of Stockholm organisation for teeth whitening is
available with all the information in relation to the industry. It will help in establishing a suitable
strategy can be implied for attaining targeted goals and objectives. A well defined strategy
provides a clear path to all the members of the project to perform their role and this leads to
attainment of all the targeted goals and objectives.
Leadership: A project leader works with a team and key stakeholders so that targets can
be set for business. As a leader focus must be maintained to provide clear direction to all the
team members and other influencer of the project. Through effective leadership in Stockholm
organisation all the team members will be developed to generate their best results and support
targeted objectives (Euchner and Ganguly, 2014). A project manager leads to establishing and
clarify the roles and responsibilities of team members so that effective relationships can be
established at each stage of organisation. As a project leader Michael Glass will recognise all the
contributions made by different team members so that appropriate amount of recognisance can
be provided for their contribution.
Decision making: As a team leader all the decisions in relation to the particular project
for formulating a decision for the team is taken and all the responsibilities for these decisions
also lies in the hands of leaders. A leader provides a honest assessment of the opportunity on the
basis of cost involves and chance for success in present and future. A leader possess proactive
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knowledge so that next step in the project management is taken effectively and all the activities
can be accomplished on time.
Knowledge: A leader in a project is available with required knowledge so that all the
situations and issues can be understand in effective manner. In the process of taking scientific,
rational and technical decisions a leader requires combination of practical and theoretical
knowledge. Each activity in the project will be accomplished on the basis of correct information
so that chances for success is improved (Grayson and Hodges, 2017). In innovation project of
introducing a product which leads to whitening teeth of consumers those who are suffering with
this teeth issue. As on the basis of their knowledge and skills findings are made so that
development of project can be made to generate required results. A team leader is available with
more knowledge and experience which make an individual more sensible to take decisions in
relation to innovation and analysing chances for success of a project. All the available facts are
collected and required facts are generated so that knowledge is applied in such manner that
productive results are generated to bring best results.
Planning: All the plans in relation to innovation project of teeth whitening is developed
through project leader. A leader is responsible for developing a project plan that works to
achieve progression criteria using sound scientific process in the shortest amount of time with
involving minimum amount of cost. Planning must be made in such manner so that all the
activities in the process of performing final goals and objectives is achieved as per critical path.
As a project leader negotiations with management and different individuals in relation to
approval of the project is achieved through project management (Hinterhuber and Liozu, 2017).
After implying a plan of the project check is done on regular basis by the leader to evaluate rate
of success of the project. Checking project achievement on regular intervals enhances chances of
success for business objectives and help in taking corrective actions on time.
Influencing: A team leader while working on the innovation project of Stockholm
organisation makes sure that all the team members and their managers are provided with
effective support. Michael Glass will influence all the other members of their team so that level
of performance can be increased and this will leads to minimise amount of cost incurred and
performance will be done to generate required results.
Negotiation: A project leader always make required efforts to ensure that all the
resources must leave available whenever required. All the amendments are negotiated in such
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manner so that availability of resources are not manipulated as per changed requirements of plan
for the project.
Meeting management: When a plan is designed by project leader then in that relation all
the responsibilities for organising, facilitating, and ensuring follow up actions required in process
to accomplish a task. As a manager of innovation project leader will ensure that all the analysis
in relation to requirement of the project is performed effectively (Joyce and Paquin, 2016).
Communication: A team leader in a project act as a communicator among all the
members of the team and various stakeholders in business organisation. A effective
communication system will help in establishing a system through which required information is
communicated on time and decisions are taken in appropriate manner. Timely reporting of a
project leads to effective decision making in the process of achieving various goals and
objectives. A effective communication system in the innovation project will help in grab
business opportunities and leads to high amount of sustainability in business in competitive
environment.
Alliance management: A team leader leads to generation of alliance management using
a specific skills set tools through which specific issues are addressed in unique manner so that a
balance can be maintained. It is a professional and corporate function of a manger which requires
defined vision, mission, structure, goals and methods of performing business activities.
3. Open model and closed model of innovation and justification
Innovation can be described as feasible and relevant product, service, procedure or
experience which is applied as per the business structure and valid as per the business model. It
supports a business to add value in the context of revenue and brand image or goodwill to
analysis the sustainability of business at the market place (Kim, Im and Slater, 2013). In the
context of Stockholm Gas conduct research by R&D department in regard of Plasma which is an
ionised gas and able of directing and consuming electricity. As a result it turn it vibrates faster
and leading to scrub surface and show whitening on teeth and change over into viable business
model. The term of the innovation based on the different model which is categorised into open
and close model that supports to business and apply in various manner to targeting market and
convert ideas into business model for sustainability.
Open Innovation model: This model defined as accumulation of internal and external
ideas that supports businesses for advance development in procedure, technologies, product,
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operations and services. In this procedure innovation mainly depended on the limitations of
business so that potential can be improved with strategically applying external environment.
Hence in the particular case innovation originate with action of inner and external ideas in
develop manner of promising products as well as business model. At the place of innovation is
both inner and outer side is site in business (Laforet, 2013). Due to discuss of knowledge in
respect of innovation does not enable ant form of free access to knowledge and technology of the
business. Such as network collaboration is utilised by business where consist of cost and permit
of intellectual property. There are mentioned two kinds of open innovations as following:
Inbound open innovation: It is linked with achieving and sourcing experts and external the walls
of a business which is scanned successfully. It will supports to analysing, recognising, selecting,
using and internalising ideas.
Outbound open innovation: This is related with trading purposely and capturing ideas
which is developed internally with aspect of outer atmosphere. It can be done through revealing
of product and focus on selling so that feedback can be get.
Coupled innovation process: It is defined as combination of inbound and outbound innovation
where different organisations are working together and sort out the problem with effective
solutions. It is mainly applied in joint venture, loose affiliation etc.
The Stockholm Gas select open innovation model because there are capable to arrange
and reducing cost of related new product development. The interact with different collaborations
for ongoing innovation and acquire knowledge by external environments and achieve all the
competitive advantages. The main benefit of open innovation model to offer flexibility in
different types of innovation model that can engage (Land, 2013). As per the idea focus on the
different collaboration, network system as well as ecosystem at the market place in various
manner. Such as, corporate venture, joint venture, R&D contracts and licensing. All the
supporting to business and achieve extra advantages through cooperation and assure about the
particular innovation capacity.
Close innovation model: It is another model of innovation procedure which is applied
by the business out of the limitations and it is followed by business for generating ideas,
improving marketing tools all entirely takes place in business. These type of innovation does not
related with the external environment activities and no interference. All the relatable resources,
technology, procedure and property are direct control by innovation organisation. For example,
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business entity invest large amount in R&D department to conduct research regarding to
innovation and according to that take further steps. The functional unit supports to business in
internal manner and focus on those technologies which helps in innovation and solutions. As a
result it can be identified that as closed system has fixed limitations and different activities which
is linked with the research and development internally (Markides and Sosa, 2013). To apply
close innovation model in the business require to focus on the different aspects and according to
that staff members qualified and business should be effective in protecting intellectual property.
Several ideas and innovation are conducted by staff members in the business and entire
procedure from idea generation for improvement. For whole procedure R&D department is liable
and also for in house innovation procedure that can be helpful in providing sustainable
competitive advantage in sector.
As per the above image it is analysed that research projects are affected to atmosphere of
business and there is no communication with outer activities. In the context of the Research &
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development division has played important role in the preparing, developing and marketing of in
house innovation procedure. Such as it supports in innovating ideas and developing and
arranging competitive advantage with sustainability in particular sector to achieve leadership and
become cost effective.
Justification: After analysing the both model of innovation Stockholm gas select open
innovation model because of different benefits which is discussed below:
Engaging larger audiences: Through open innovation the potential customers is greater
than of close model. In the context of Stockholm Gas recognise insight of audience buying
behaviour as per the taste & preferences. To achieve competitive advantage require to contact
with huge customer which helps in innovation procedure (McGuire, 2014).
Engaging relevant audiences: Close innovation model is a type of innovation model
which is mainly based on the staff members of business and set the limit. While, open innovation
is used to recognise right audience regarding to innovation product so according to that problem
can be sorted in effective manner. Hence, it is required to innovation in teeth whitening by
Stockholm gas should search out related audience and follow innovation procedure.
Improving cost efficiency: In the procedure of innovation firstly focus on the idea generation
which is taking more time and consume working hours of employees in closed innovation. On
the other side open innovation model provide flexibility to staff members in regard of manage
the procedure. So for Stockholm Gas select open innovation model which is suitable for teeth
whitening project.
Finding new talent: As open innovation takes place external the limitation of a business
so it leads in recognising talents. This procedure supports in communicate with personnel for job
advantages as compare of placing close sufficient applicant. In case of Stockholm gas will be
able to recognise talented and qualified which will supports in increasing entire efficiency for
new innovative project of teeth whitening (Nybakk and Jenssen, 2012).
Lucrative partnership: In the context of the open innovation model there is cooperating
with external parties that can assist in developing and arranging partnership. It supports to
business and their activities which become more innovative as resources and professionals will
be enhanced the effectiveness of entire project which will improve. The Stockholm Gas innovate
new project which is related to teeth whitening and there are many opportunity of partnership so
that market can be shared.
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At the end discuss about open innovation advantages to Stockholm gas project of teeth
whitening where is required to analysis of all the changes take advantages in regarding of overall
business model.
Product complexity: Many time business face the problem of financial activities and do
not afford in house research and improvement operations which are outsourced. In the context of
large organisation face different problems to arrange and control all the strength and
competencies. Through cooperation business can recognise all the relevant resources and collect
information to beat market. Stockholm Gas deduct the complexity through innovation procedure
that can be done through open innovation model (Oly Ndubisi and Iftikhar, 2012).
Information and communications technology: Through open innovation model
Stockholm Gas analysis all the factors which is related with micro and macro environments. As a
result it helps top achieving purchasing procedure and behaviour that impact in effective manner.
To cover large market share require to business use Plasma Cylinder for dentists and provide
good shape of product.
Private Venture Capital: When a business organisation follows an open innovation
model it becomes easy and accessible that new start-ups are funded and innovation is done.
When a business organisation is introduced with other organisations that are outside form form
boundaries then in that case it enhances chances of generation of more and more amount of funds
through business operations. In Stockholm Gas organisation research and development is made
in order to introduce a innovation which will introduce a innovative product for whitening teeth.
In order to generate best results combination of two models must be used so that best productive
results can be introduced.
On the basis of above analysis for different models of innovation it will be favourable for
Stockholm Gas organisation to use an open innovation model. As the organisation is going to
introduce plasma a substance in their product which will help in whitening teeth of individuals.
As a closed innovation model will leads to minimising involvement of outside parties and their
amount of investment which help in generating this innovation as consumer based product.
4. Recommendation to the board to make investment in new product project
Stockholm Gas organisation is one of the most innovative organisation and establishes a
annual budget of £100million in the process of research and development. As per the recent
activities of the organisation an amount equal to 10% of the budgeted amount will be invested in
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the research and development of project which leads to innovate a product which will whiten the
teeth. This project was provided with a period of 12 months to analyse sustainability and
developing all the required information for accessing the project effectively. A effective analysis
is made in the period of 12 months and a substance named as Plasma is introduced which was
recommended by a university to be used on teeth's and make them white. To check viability of
the information a research and experiment is conducted in pig's teeth as human body is not
allowed for experimenting so that decision can be taken on reality basis (Trimi and Berbegal-
Mirabent, 2012).
In the present time business industry is highly competitive and to be in competition and
sustain for long duration each organisation needs to be highly competitive. Stockholm Gas
organisation innovation of introducing a single feature to the project will whiten teeth is not that
much comparative in the market. As number of products available in the market which are
available with two or more features and Stockholm Gas organisation to become successful needs
to introduce or add some more features to the product. Colgate and Procter & Gamble are some
of the multinational companies which are the biggest competitive threat when this new product
will be launched in the market. Some features like fresh breath, cavity preservation and gum
protection must be introduced so that level of competition can be enhanced and success can be
achieved more prominently. Two business models are available with the company one is
supplying the products to the dentists to be used on their consumers. Another one is to directly
sell the products in the market to targeted consumers.
In the process of analysing the results meeting was stuck for making decision in relation
to making investment £10million in the project or not. The above analysis provides that it will be
advisable to use open innovation model for business organisation so that new projects can be
introduced in effective manner. It will be advisable to sell the introduced product as final one and
to attract more and more amount of consumers number of features must be introduced to the
product. When decision is taken to introduce this product to dentists then a strong market image
of the product is required to establish and kept maintained for generating productive results.
Maria Klaus the marketing manager of Stockholm Gas organisation represents his to
introduce this innovative product as a consumer good so that competitive advantage can be
created. Product development manager will be highly concern regarding quality of the product so
that level of competition can be established in the market for large multinational organisations.
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It is recommended to Stockholm gas organisation to generate good relationships with
dentists and serves them plasma cylinders to be used in their service. A good quality product that
satisfies maximum consumers will leads to generation of goodwill for business organisations. To
maintain and develop quality products healthcare professions must be introduced in the project.
Some controlling and managing tools must be added in the project so that completion of the
project is analysed on the basis of set targets (Zahra and Nambisan, 2012). It is also
recommended that business organisation must introduce their products at smaller scale to check
its viability. When success is enjoyed in the small market then only product will be introduced
to larger market scale. This will help organisation to enjoy high amount of profits by minimising
chances of failure for new project.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report it has been concluded that innovation and creativity are the
tools that leads to generation of more and more amount of success for businesses in the
competitive business environment. Their are several innovation approaches available to a
business but most suitable on the basis of innovation and objective is introduced. Innovation in
business organisation is not a simple task and a team of different individuals are involved in the
process of performing various activities for accomplishing business activities. Innovation is
introduced with a model and selection of appropriate model is important so that business
objectives becomes attainable in long run process. A innovation must be introduced after making
required analysis and effective and productive recommendations must be made so that goals and
objectives can be attained as per set targets.
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Online
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<https://www.stockholmgas.se/om-oss/nya-stockholm-gas/>
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