Enhancing Innovation at CEMIS: Addressing Collaboration Challenges and Implementing Best Practices for Multidisciplinary Teams
Bhandari, Bishnu; Farooq, Faryal (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052616467
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052616467
Tiivistelmä
Collaboration and communication are essential for driving innovation, especially within research net-works where multiple teams and disciplines must work in sync. When these elements are lacking, even highly capable organizations can struggle with fragmented processes, poor knowledge sharing, and slowed development. This thesis, commissioned by the Centre for Measurement and Information Systems (CEMIS), a Finnish research consortium working in fields like bio-economy, health, and mining ex-amines the internal barriers that hinder its innovation potential.
The primary goal of this research is to explore the challenges that limit innovation at CEMIS and to recommend practical solutions that support more cohesive, efficient, and scalable innovation practices. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on document reviews, stakeholder inter-views, and process analysis to better understand current workflows and identify areas for improvement.
Findings show that the absence of a shared innovation framework, inconsistent documentation, and weak knowledge management contribute to disconnected efforts across teams. These issues limit collaboration and reduce the organization’s ability to turn research into impactful outcomes. To address this, the thesis recommends a set of best practices, including a hybrid innovation model that blends Stage-Gate and open innovation principles, the use of Agile methods to support cross-functional teamwork, and the introduction of a centralized knowledge management system.
Together, these practices aim to improve coordination, enhance internal communication, and create a culture that supports continuous learning and innovation. The insights from this study not only offer actionable recommendations for CEMIS but may also serve as a model for other research consortia facing similar challenges.
The primary goal of this research is to explore the challenges that limit innovation at CEMIS and to recommend practical solutions that support more cohesive, efficient, and scalable innovation practices. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on document reviews, stakeholder inter-views, and process analysis to better understand current workflows and identify areas for improvement.
Findings show that the absence of a shared innovation framework, inconsistent documentation, and weak knowledge management contribute to disconnected efforts across teams. These issues limit collaboration and reduce the organization’s ability to turn research into impactful outcomes. To address this, the thesis recommends a set of best practices, including a hybrid innovation model that blends Stage-Gate and open innovation principles, the use of Agile methods to support cross-functional teamwork, and the introduction of a centralized knowledge management system.
Together, these practices aim to improve coordination, enhance internal communication, and create a culture that supports continuous learning and innovation. The insights from this study not only offer actionable recommendations for CEMIS but may also serve as a model for other research consortia facing similar challenges.