Seeking the stakeholder-oriented value of innovation: a CKI perspective

Purpose - This work focuses on the management of the innovation process by taking into consideration a more inclusive and systematic approach in order to analyze the mutual relationships among Creativity, Knowledge and Innovation (CKI). This approach proves hitherto unexplored since in current literature a one-to-one basis of analysis prevails. Moreover, given the varied set of potential stakeholders concerned with innovation process outcomes, the need for adopting different points of view emerges as well. In order to help filling these gaps, a framework based on the analysis of CKI dynamics and impacts is proposed. It is complemented with a set of indicators available in literature and grouped by perspective - i. e. macroeconomic, institutional, socio-cultural and corporate - in order to help capture possible outputs of innovation processes from different angles. Design/methodology/approach - This work is a qualitative research paper focused on the review and analysis of existing literature and developed on the basis of some theoretical remarks. It utilizes also the multiple-case study approach in order to further corroborate the aforementioned theoretical analysis. Originality/value - The paper provides a framework for a wider analysis of a CKI interaction system along with an overall measurement of its possible outcomes. The submitted CKI perspective proves useful for deepening the analysis of some fundamental paths across the three variables. In particular, it allows understand the dynamics that can be established between creativity vs knowledge resource policies (creativity-based approach vs knowledge-based approach) and innovation goals. The model also serves to extend the analysis of CKI interactions to their circular nature, and based on this multiple outcomes are defined and inquired in the paper. Practical implications - The proposed model aims to provide an operating tool for all those involved in the management of innovation processes. It can be applied at different purposes. In particular, the indicators help assessing the impact of both innovation plans and operating actions at any level by capturing a wide range of outcomes. Ultimately, such a model may support both decision making and control tasks in several operating contexts, thus providing a strategic tool for governments and managers. Finally, this paper may encourage academicians to (1) contributing to further refine the CKI perspective and, based on this, (2) to improve the model's capacity to predict and assess the impacts of innovation processes in terms of incremental value to stakeholders.