Breadcrumb

Radical Innovations for the Enhancement of Swedish society

Research project
Inactive research
Project period
2013 - 2015
Project owner
Unit for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Department of Economy and Society

Short description

Maureen McKelvey, professor, has led this research program. Our research program has addressed how and why firms, universities, NGOs and policy makers are able to stimulate radical change – and why they do not do so. Our starting point was that Sweden needs a structural transformation for economic growth. Our focus has been on radical change. Our proposition was that such structural transformation is driven by developments in technology/science and markets, as through new business practices in companies and through entrepreneurship. However, how and why does this occur? And why has radical change proven difficult to implement for societies, organizations and individuals alike?

Our research program has addressed how and why firms, universities, NGOs and policy makers are able to stimulate radical change – and why they do not do so.

Our starting point was that Sweden needs a structural transformation for economic growth. Our focus has been on radical change. Our proposition was that such structural transformation is driven by developments in technology/science and markets, as through new business practices in companies and through entrepreneurship. However, how and why does this occur?  And why has radical change proven difficult to implement for societies, organizations and individuals alike?

These changes are need for societal well-being and economic growth in Sweden in the future. Even though Sweden is acknowledged as an innovation leader, it is under threat from global trends, specifically the increase of market leadership as well as technical and business knowledge in companies in Asia.

The main aims of the project have been to

  1. Contribute to the international research frontier on innovation and entrepreneurship
  2. Interact with firms and practitioners on these issues
  3. Inform teaching practices within the area of innovation and entrepreneurship at GU
  4. Thereby, through the study, promotion, and encouraged dissemination of radical innovations, we will support the enhancement of Sweden’s transformation to an innovation economy, through radical innovations

As a result of this project, the education of approximately 400 Masters and PhD students were taught with updated research results during this years. We also published 32 publications as articles, book chapters and conference papers.