Annika Olsson

An action learning method for increased innovation capability in organisations

Product innovation in highly complex and technological areas, such as medical technology, puts high requirements on the innovation capability of an organisation. Previous research and publications have highlighted organisational issues and learning matters as important and necessary for the development of innovation capability. Action learning requires reflection on the ways things are carried out, changes in current actions, implementation and improvement and thereafter another round of reflection. This could be difficult for one organisation to carry out internally and so this research uses a learning network set-up involving several organisations for inter-organisational action learning. The purpose of this article is to describe the learning network set-up used in a current action learning project in the medical technology industry and to discuss the initial experience gained. The research project aims at increasing the innovation capability of the participating organisations. The method used is based on action learning and involves representatives from industrial partners, public health organisations and academic partners. The different organisations run innovation projects over a time period of three years and meet three times a year in learning network sessions with the purpose of developing knowledge by action learning interaction between the different organisations. During these learning network sessions the participants are facilitated to go through different phases: reflection, new concepts, new actions, implementation and new reflection. The paper elaborates on theories of innovation capability and learning networks and thereafter the methods of action research, experiential learning and action learning. The action learning network structure, the experience gained in the initial phases of the project and the experience of action learning and learning networks is then presented. The importance of trust-building between partners in the network in order to facilitate action learning and development of innovation capability is discussed, as is the learning that takes place in the interaction between academics from different disciplines in their interaction with the practitioners.

Risk Management and Quality Assurance through the Food Supply Chain – Case Studies in the Swedish Food Industry

Processed food and eating out of the home are increasing phenomena, which presents new business opportunities for food manufacturers. However, the new food products require increased quality and safety, and thereby a more controlled distribution. The overall purpose of the research presented in this article is to describe the food supply chain from a critical context point of view in order to highlight the risks and the traceability issues. The paper expands previous discussions regarding critical control points into a critical context perspective in traceability in food supply chains. The initial part of the study is based on a literature review in the area of traceability combined with a number of related search words. A number of case studies have been carried out in order to map the food supply chains and better understand consumer standpoints. This paper describes how the system for distribution of food from manufacturer to end-user operates in Sweden. The chains studied all showed critical contexts. The paper suggests attitudinal changes towards overall supply chain responsibility, better resource utilisation and increased knowledge among actors. Furthermore it suggests supply chain actors to better integrate consumer insights on food safety perceptions in order to create value. (Less)

The role of Swedish retailers in food innovations

Innovations should create value for increasingly individualistic consumers with varying demands and for other stakeholders. Today, retailers have the power in the supply/value chain. This research investigates how Swedish food retailers view innovations, their role and that of customers and suppliers in the development process and how they see future development. The study is based on open-ended interviews. The results show that Swedish retailers regard food product innovations as something to provide to consumers rather than achieve with consumers. Retailers want more collaboration with packaging suppliers to differentiate. Retailers are successful in establishing their own brands, in becoming brands themselves and in competing with producer brands. This follows the UK model and may result in fewer alternatives in stores and fewer product – or new technology-based innovations by Swedish producers. Service innovations can still occur for retailers to retain consumer loyalty. Consumers demand more than new products; they want to be excited by the shopping experience. More innovations will require deeper insight about consumers, efforts from the value chain and from outsiders. Collaboration is needed to establish trust among supply chain actors.

Operationalizing the concept of value – an action research‐based model

Purpose – While the importance of measuring customer satisfaction levels is well established, less research exists on how organizations operationalize such knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to describe an action research (AR) case study resulting in a workshop model to operationalize the concept of value. The model facilitates organizational learning and mindset changes in order to remove both cultural and structural barriers to change.Design/methodology/approach – The model is based on AR in three case organizations. The research, over four years in the primary case organization, included phases of planning, action (implementing), observing (evaluating), and analysis and reflection as a basis for new planning and action. By using secondary case organizations the results and methods from the primary case organization were validated and further developed.Findings – The model includes methods to help organizations understand and define what customer value is for any given specific organization, tools ...

What’s in it for me? Food packaging and consumer responses in a focus group study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer views on different aspects of packaging, exemplified by a common product in the fruit and vegetable category and to identify advantages and disadvantages perceived by consumers purchasing packaged or unpackaged products. Design/methodology/approach – Three focus group interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis based on theory was performed. The findings were categorised into nine themes. Findings – Consumer views on packaging aspects were revealed, covering: packaging material; pack size; protection and preservation; convenience; price; communication and information; ethical perspectives; novelty and innovation; and advantages and disadvantages of packaged and unpackaged products. Research limitations/implications – The study adds to present knowledge on the role of packaging in consumers’ food choices. The qualitative analysis identified areas for further research through quantitative methods. Practical implications – Challenges in communicatin...

Experiential learning in retrospect: a future organizational challenge?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a retrospective reflection over unconscious, emergent learning among employees of an organization and to suggest how to capture these moments of experiential learning for future organizational learning.Design/methodology/approach – Action research in organizations is undertaken in interaction with the employees of the organization studied. The outcome is characterized by a deep understanding of the individuals as well as of the course of events in the system. The paper therefore applies action research, focusing on the experiential learning from daily actions in the case organization at Volvo Cars’ production plant in Sweden.Findings – The conclusion is that an evolution toward a learning organization, as exemplified by the case studied, is not identified until after it actually happens, i.e. in retrospect. It is suggested that the competence build‐up recognized in retrospect should become an integral part of future educational programs. The multidiscipli...

Communicating imperceptible product attributes through traceability: A case study in an organic food supply chain

Abstract in Undetermined Companies in the food industry are driven to improve their traceability for several reasons. The primary reasons are food safety and quality. Another is the response to the increased interest among consumers in imperceptible product attributes such as organic, fair trade, dolphin-safe and non genetically modified (non-GMO). Such attributes are hard to distinguish and thus require generally enhanced traceability in order to verify their existence. This has led to an emergent area in which actors engage in gaining and maintaining traceability and communicating it to the consumers. This paper describes the relations between the actors in a supply chain (SC) in the field of organic food systems. It examines the objectives each actor has for gaining and maintaining traceability throughout the SC. The focus on organic relates to the challenge for the companies to ensure this imperceptible product attribute throughout the entire food system. A single case study was conducted in an organic food system providing organic ice cream products. The data collection included semi-structured interviews, observations, a review of internal documents and a survey among the participating companies. The findings illustrate and elaborate on the objectives companies have for engaging in traceability. The objectives identified are divided into three categories: food safety and quality, managing the SC and internal resources and communication with consumers. The survey confirms the results from the interviews that all actors want to engage in traceability. They prioritize the objectives differently, however. The study highlights the value of close relations between the actors when addressing consumer concerns regarding product and process characteristics, such as the imperceptible organic attribute. (Less)

Design and Development of Packaging in Supply Chain Management : A Case Study

Achieving effectiveness and efficiency in supply chains is one of the focus areas for industry as well as for academic research. One way to achieve these goals is to design and develop product and packaging systems (See Figure 1) which can meet the needs of different actors in the supply chain. Packaging, as an interface between the supply chain and its main customers (the end users), affects supply chain effectiveness (Klevas and Saghir, 2004). Moreover, from an efficiency standpoint packaging is defined as a “techno-economic function aimed at minimizing costs of delivery while maximizing sales (and hence profit)” (Paine, 1981).

Collaborative Healthcare Innovation in Sweden

The medical technology (medtech) industry in Sweden is situated within a complex innovation ecosystem, in which various stakeholders from the public, private and academic sectors need to collaborate to meet demands on effective and efficient healthcare. Demographics are changing and those in need of healthcare are not only larger in numbers than ever but they are also more knowledgeable and demanding. Increasing innovative performance is crucial in both the private and public healthcare sectors, but bold steps forward need to be taken in light of stricter rules and regulations for how healthcare stakeholders should manage both their internal processes and the ways in which they interact with other stakeholders in the larger innovation system. The traditional way in which medtech companies gain access to user needs, primarily working through a sales–purchasing relationship with the public healthcare sector, is outdated and needs to be replaced with an increasingly collaborative and cocreative model of healthcare innovation.

The Liquid Drop: Exposing and Utilising Difference in the Design Process

Instead of discussing existing design methods that aim at bridging or annihilating gaps between users and designers, we want to highlight an approach for designers that helps us increase reflexivit ...