Developing a circumstance-based innovation strategy for a midsized aerospace manufacturer : fostering intrapreneurship, opening boundaries, and seeding disruption

This thesis derives a seven-stage methodology and presents a case study for developing an actionable innovation strategy for manufacturing firms. The methodology is based around a careful examination of their firm's circumstances, or external context and internal praxis. How a firm should innovate is dependent on industry environment, firm activities, technology competencies, internal culture, and its networks-and this thesis aims to develop a "theory of practice" in how to do such circumstance-based strategy. Thus, unlike much of the innovation literature, which push universalistic theories on innovation (e.g., form a Skunkworks to create a new radical product) this work aims to help firms become more innovative by developing strategies unique to their conditions. The methodology has seven modules: 1) stake intent, 2) survey the industry and firm, 3) create an innovation strategy, 4) audit the firm, 5) develop the plan to reinforce the capabilities through its existing culture, 6) execute and measure the plan, and 7) periodically reflect and adjust the plan as the firm's environment change. The case study focuses on modules 2-5. The case company is a midsized aerospace manufacturing-focused firm competing in the thick of the highly competitive global aerostructures market, specializing in airframe control surfaces. It employs a variety of advanced manufacturing techniques, with an emerging focus in carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite fabrication. Undertaking the methodology, the thesis finds that the highly competitive landscape combined with the firm's current market position and capabilities suggest an innovation strategy focused on differentiation (as opposed to low-cost), high levels of collaboration (as opposed

Department dc:contributor.department

Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Brylawski, Michael M. (Michael Mills), 1972-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Deborah Nightingale and Jesper Sørensen.

• Sloan School of Management.
• Mechanical Engineering.
• Leaders for Manufacturing Program.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34748

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34748