We aim to stimulate innovation, co-create innovation activities, and support businesses and networks in their innovation processes while also documenting innovation outcomes. To innovate effectively, it is essential to understand the mechanisms driving the market, both on the supply and demand sides. This includes factors such as digitalization, sustainability expectations, emergency preparedness, regulatory changes, consumer culture, and customer or user preferences, to name a few.
The research group is involved in various innovation and competence development projects. These projects focus on research on businesses operating regionally, nationally, and/or internationally. Students within the field of innovation are invited to participate in these projects through bachelor's and master's theses, and our work provides a foundation for research-based teaching.
Research topics
We take a broad approach to innovation, grounded in relevant theories. Our research focuses on innovation and innovation management from both a business and ecosystem perspective, with a particular emphasis on user value. Our studies cover various sectors and industries, such as retail, manufacturing, and public services (e.g., healthcare).
Our research covers the following areas and topics:
- Digital User or Consumer Behavior and User-Driven Innovation
- Innovation in Digital Offerings (Products and Services) and Processes to Ensure Sustainable Solutions
- Innovation for Digital and Sustainable Business Models
- Innovation Strategy and Market Innovation (including innovation capabilities, partners' ecosystems and market platform dynamics)
- Digital Transformation and Digital Strategies of Businesses
- Service Innovation and Innovation through the Use of Service Design Tools and Entrepreneurial Activities
- Mechanisms and Factors Shaping Markets and Influencing Innovation
How do we conduct our research?
We anchor our research in appropriate theoretical frameworks, research designs, and methodologies tailored to the nature of different projects and research questions. The primary aim of our research is to be practice-relevant, while also contributing to other research communities.
We use a variety of research methods. Depending on the purpose, we work with:
- Case Studies and Qualitative Data
- Surveys, Based on Quantitative Data
- Experimental Studies (Quantitative)
- Network Data / Big Data Sets / Panel Data
Research diciplines
Our researchers represent a multidisciplinary approach. A key strength of our research group is our ability to integrate diverse perspectives, theoretical frameworks, and methodological expertise into innovative research projects.
We foster a collaborative environment within our group and actively engage in cross-group research within the School of Business. We are also involved in projects across faculties at USN and collaborate with other institutions and partners both nationally and internationally.
Partners and networks
Our research group participate with a broad range of research partners, business schools and universities. Some core partners are:
RNI Scandinavia (The research network on Innovation).
Industry partners, such as the Kongsberg Group, Yara Technology center, Applied Autonomy AS, Herøya industripark AS, Vesar and «Den magiske fabrikken», as well as industrial clusters, such as Electronic Coast/NCE-NMT.
Public partners, such as NAV, county councils, municipalities, industry associations and retail associations, Virke and Handel og Kontor.
Other cooperative partners is Komplett, Telenor, Posten, Norgesgruppen, etc.
Our research group members cooperate with researchers at other universities and business schools both at a national level, such as NHH, NTNU, The University of Agder, HVL, INN, AHO, UIT, UIO, etc. and at an international level, such as The University of Karlstad (Centrum för Tjänsteforskning), The University of Luleå (https://www.ltu.se/research/subjects/Entrepreneurship-and-Innovation), Hanken, The University of Roskilde, Copenhagen Business School, University of Strathclyde, Loughborough University, University of Iowa, Miami University og Indiana University Bloomington.
Ongoing research and projects
Our research areas spans from innovation and digitalization in retailing, to public sector innovation and business model innovation for autonomous systems, as well as help developing green and sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship.
Please see the Research group site in Norwegian for details on projects.
