Certification of Innovation Management Professionals: Reasons for and Results from Acquiring Certification

Main Article Content

Ingrid Kihlander
Mats Magnusson
Magnus Karlsson

Abstract




This paper addresses how personal certification in innovation management can contribute to the ongoing professionalisation within the innovation management discipline. The empirical study focused a project in Sweden initiated to develop qualification, specifically personal certification, of innovation management professionals. The project resulted in a certification process and a first batch of certified innovation management professionals. The study aimed to capture the individuals’ reasons for, as well as results and effects from, choosing to acquire a voluntary personal certification within innovation management. A wide range of reasons for taking the certifications was reported such as willingness to learn more; willingness to formalise innovation management competence; a wish to clarify roles, but also to promote the discipline itself. Certification was apprehended as a trustworthy format to achieve this. Identified effects were establishment of a common language, increased visibility of individuals, and innovation management professionals to feel more confident in their jobs.




Article Details

Author Biographies

Ingrid Kihlander, Department of Certification, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Drottning Kristinas väg 61, Box / Department of Machine Design, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden 5604, SE-114

second affiliation should also be included:

Researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Machine Design.

Mats Magnusson, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Machine Design

Professor in Product Innovation Engineering.

Magnus Karlsson, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

second affiliation to be included

Adjunct Professor at KTH Royal Institute of technology, Department of Machine Design