Yaser Masoudnia
Centre for Innovative Products and Services,
Cranfield School of Management
Qualifications
MBA
BA Economics
Background
Yaser joined Cranfield University after completing his MBA. Prior to starting his graduate studies, he worked as a business development manager and an executive manager in an International Trading Company. Yaser also holds a BA in economics.
Research Topic
Study of unofficial methods of innovation
Research Issue
A considerable part of the innovation process is often carried out unofficially and independently by motivated employees. These unofficial and independent attempts by employees to innovate and benefit organizations have previously been unexplored. Although many companies nowadays give their innovative staff the freedom to spend a proportion of their time working on their own interests, the dynamics and benefits of truly independent attempts through unofficial projects are still unknown to practitioners and academics.
This research looks into the informal methods of innovation, specifically innovative projects independently pursued by employees or middle managers. It investigates both new, independent projects, initiated by motivated individuals and parts of official projects developed independently and informally. Even if an independently pursued innovative idea doesn’t directly result in any innovation, it would still be a subject of this research. Briefly, this research studies the reasons and motivations to pursue projects independently; the dynamics of these types of projects and their outcomes.
Sector
High technology based corporations from different industries, e.g. Medical Device, Pharmaceutical, IT, Software, Electronics, Communication and Telecommunication, Semiconductor, Biotechnology, Automotive, Aviation, Industrial Device etc.
Research Methods
In-depth interview with staff and middle managers who are directly engaged in R&D or Product Development activities.
Theoretical Perspective
Realist.
Why I Chose Cranfield
• Be a part of well-known community of scholars at a prestigious university, a top-ranked school of management and an outstanding Centre of Innovative Products and Services.
• Engage in practice oriented research projects
• Benefit from its fantastic structure and incredible support they offer to students
Published Papers
Masoudnia Y. & Szwejczewski M. (2009), ‘The existence of underground innovation and recognition of it by management’, 16th European Operations Management Association Conference, June 15-16, Gothenburg, Sweden.