Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe the progress of an innovation from an idea to the product in a micro company and analyse the knowledge dynamics of the process. This case study seeks to find answers to the following research questions: What is the progress of an innovation from an idea to the product like in a micro company? What kind of knowledge is needed for the innovation and what kind of phases can be identified in the progress? These research questions are answered through a single case study of the innovation.
Method: This is a single case study with holistic strategy. The unit of analysis is the innovation case of a micro company operating in Oulu South Region. At the heart of the case study was the knowledge biography method that is an innovative approach providing a deeper understanding of knowledge dynamics in firms and regions. The empirical data was gathered via semi-structured interviews and public archive related to the case company. The interviews with key informants were mainly conducted face-to-face during fieldwork in 2008 and 2009. In an inclusive and iterative process the data was analysed and the main findings were summarised.
Findings: The progress of a single innovation case and its knowledge dynamics was described by using the knowledge biography method. The phases of the innovation case were analysed through knowledge types and knowledge phases. This study provides an interesting bench-marking case for the managers of innovative micro companies and public development agencies. The findings support public actors to ask essential questions in developing their services.
Value: In the future studies it would be interesting to open more innovation cases using the method of knowledge biography and make comparisons. In this case even the company found the findings useful for its purposes
