In February 2009, Rob van Leen, Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of DSM – a world leader in life sciences and materials sciences – felt his company had made a lot of progress in the way it managed innovation since transforming itself from a commodity chemical company to a high value-added specialty chemical company. However, a lot remained to be done to achieve the ambitious organic growth target of €1 billion through innovation, which was set by top management as part of its “Vision 2010” program. Although management entrusted most of its growth and innovation mission to its business group (BG) directors, it also counted on its high-profile “Corporate Innovation Center,” under van Leen’s leadership, to stimulate, steer and sustain the company’s innovation drive. In the three years since its creation, the Corporate Innovation Center and its various technology and innovation management mechanisms had become operational. But van Leen felt a number of challenges remained: 1) The Innovation Center had been established to create innovative new businesses and help the various BGs achieve functional excellence in innovation. But did it have the right organization and priorities, as well as sufficient resources and competences to do so? 2) In the rather decentralized culture of DSM, how strongly should the CIO push to align the powerful and traditionally independent BGs behind a unified innovation agenda? How could he operate as an effective innovation catalyst without interfering in BG affairs? 3) How could the Innovation Center trigger a deep mindset change towards value creation through customer-centric innovation, in an organizational culture that remained focused on technology push, operational excellence and risk avoidance?
Culture eats strategy for breakfast is one of the most enduring truisms of management. But is it really the case? And what is culture anyway?
The ways popular frameworks are used fall short in today’s rapidly changing environment. Here is a new way to make better-informed strategic choices.
Test your knowledge on ESG governance with our fun quiz! Learn how strong governance drives environmental and social success in investing. Take it now!
Companies desperately in need of a turnaround in fortunes should take inspiration from the 2008 rescue mission by the then-new Ford boss Alan Mulally.
As the global environmental crisis reaches unprecedented levels, businesses face mounting pressure to act. But this challenge is also a major business opportunity. The companies that move quickly to tackle biodiversity loss will not only protect o...
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications