Strategic directions on innovation management – a conceptual framework

The purpose of this paper is to identify forthcoming fields of innovation management themes with an outline for the most important areas and directions of academic research and management practice.

Key trends in innovation research are derived from an extensive literature review. In addition, major macroeconomic trends and new technologies were identified to finally develop a conceptual framework.

The paper identifies seven major fields for future research in innovation management theory and practice. These areas are namely customer orientation, network organisation, sustainability, frugality, intellectual property, business model and global innovation. Based on the paper literature review, the paper develops a conceptual framework built on intra‐firm and external openness as well as the short‐ and long‐term strategic perspective. Future research areas are finally introduced.

The paper shows a new conceptual framework and establishes a holistic view of innovation management themes in the next years. Based on the framework, future research areas may be identified and managers can identify important concepts.