Thesis Talk: Investigating Post-Implementation Challenges for Effective Innovation Management

To goal of this series is to introduce my Master’s thesis students, who have each dedicated months of hard work to exploring important topics in their fields. I believe their efforts deserve recognition and their insights can inspire others. In short interviews, we dive into their research, their motivations, and what they’ve learned along the way. Today's spotlight is on Sarthak Jain , who wrote his thesis about Post-Implementation Challenges for Effective Innovation Management.

If all projects succeed, it suggests that an organization is playing it too safe.

What was the topic of your thesis?

I explored the challenges organizations face in the post-implementation phase of innovation management processes. I aimed to investigate the obstacles companies encounter in sustaining and embedding innovations over the long term. Additionally, I examined why it is particularly difficult to bring innovations to market within the German context. Through this research, I identified key success factors and best practices to help organizations navigate these challenges and achieve lasting success in a complex and competitive market.

What inspired you to choose your thesis topic?

While working as a student employee at the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute, I was involved in implementing innovation management processes. I noticed that many researchers focused on the challenges related to the initial implementation of these processes, but few addressed how to sustain them over the long term. This gap in the research sparked my curiosity and led me to focus my thesis on understanding what it takes to maintain innovation management processes after they've been introduced, and how organizations can ensure lasting success in this area.

What did you do?

For my thesis, I conducted an in-depth study on the post-implementation phase of innovation management in small scientific institutions. After identifying research gaps through a thorough literature review, I developed targeted interview guidelines. I then conducted semi-structured interviews with managers, employees, and external innovation managers to gather insights into the challenges they face in sustaining innovation processes. Using qualitative content analysis, I compared these findings with existing literature to highlight key themes and offer practical recommendations that can help organizations ensure long-term success in innovation management.

How do you think your research contributes to the future of your field?

My research contributes to the future of innovation management by shedding light on the often-overlooked post-implementation phase. While many studies focus on how to start innovation processes, my work emphasizes the importance of sustaining these processes over time. This perspective is crucial for ensuring that organizations don’t just introduce innovations but also embed them successfully into their long-term strategy. By identifying key success factors and practical strategies for overcoming challenges, my research offers valuable insights that can help organizations achieve lasting impact with their innovation efforts, especially in markets with unique challenges like Germany.

What advice would you give to students currently working on their master thesis?

Never get discouraged by unexpected results or when things don't go as planned. It's completely normal to face uncertainties during your research, and sometimes those uncertainties can lead to even more exciting discoveries or new directions you hadn’t considered. Embrace the process, stay curious, and trust that challenges can often result in the most rewarding outcomes.

Thank you, Sarthak!

A final thought from me as Sarthak's supervisor:

Sarthak's thesis on the post-implementation challenges of innovation management addresses a critical yet often overlooked area. While having a robust innovation process on paper is valuable, it's equally essential to actively implement it and continuously nurture it within the company. Sarthak demonstrated the importance of including diverse stakeholders— because ultimately, it's the people who bring innovations to life.