Managing quality and innovation: role of ISO 9001 quality management standard in innovation process - case Nokia Technologies

Thumbnail Image

URL

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

School of Business | Master's thesis

Authors

Date

2017

Department

Laskentatoimen laitos

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Accounting

Language

en

Pages

100

Series

Abstract

Objectives of the study This study was commissioned by Nokia Technologies in order to examine the role of ISO 9001 quality management standard in relation to innovation process, by examining ways ideas have gone to market within company’s Digital Media business area. Key tasks of the commission consisted of describing and illustrating innovation processes for company’s innovation cases, recognizing what in the cases supported taking ideas to market, as well as identifying and analysing the impacts of ISO 9001 in the context of innovation processes and the key supportive factors. Research method The study followed a qualitative research approach. Two innovation cases were selected for the basis of the empirical data; virtual reality camera OZO, where product was commercialized without ISO 9001 certified quality management system in place and, VR 3D audio solution OZO Audio, where business had a ISO 9001 certified quality management system in place during development stage of the technology. Data was collected through semi-structured thematic research interviews with members of the R&D organization, who had been closely involved during the creation and development of innovations. Findings and conclusions During the innovation process, ISO 9001 standard was found to introduce systematism in organizing development activities, decision-making and information exchange. Findings of this study indicate that the main mechanism by which ISO 9001 could support innovation process is by providing means for efficient coordination during conversion of idea into value. Coordination was required especially to focus development activities as well as to manage innovation process across technology lines and different departments in the value chain. Close involvement of QMS end users, i.e. business, in the implementation process was indicated to be important to align the procedures and roles with the actual tasks to support coordination. In the light of the findings, it was highlighted that less monitoring and systematic, predefined activities could support experimental approach at the beginning of the innovation process, including concepting stage. Further, the role of light steering was indicated to be important in commercialization of really new innovations. It was found that although increasing riskiness, managing the process with little formalization, entrepreneurial culture and small, experienced and highly competent team enabled high level of agility and adaptability during innovation process of a product targeted to new to company –market. For managers, it would need to be considered how action control mechanisms introduced by ISO 9001 standard affect the adaptability of the innovation process, especially when searching for business opportunities based on new technologies and markets.

Description

Thesis advisor

Malmi, Teemu

Keywords

ISO 9001, quality management, innovation process, technological innovation

Other note

Citation

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-201708176700

Collections

[gradu] Kauppakorkeakoulu / BIZ