Advertisement

Innovation Management in Outsourced Railway Maintenance: The Case of a Dutch Railway Service Provider

  • S. K. WuEmail author
  • A. J. J. Braaksma
  • Leo A. M. van Dongen
Chapter
First Online:
  • 327 Downloads
Part of the Asset Analytics book series (ASAN)

Abstract

Despite a complex, fragmented and from origin conservative environment, railway service provider organizations in the Dutch railways are innovating at a high pace. Therefore, the Dutch railway sector is a rich environment for studying innovations. To understand how this is achieved, an innovation management framework is developed and used to analyze innovation factors in this context. Based on a literature review on conceptual frameworks for innovation management of the last five years, a holistic innovation management framework is constructed, using an inductive coding methodology. The holistic innovation management framework is used to analyze the case study organization, based on interviews and desk research. The analysis indicates that various market, organization, process, and product/service factors and their interaction contribute to a high pace of innovations. The coding methodology used in this study can be influenced by researcher’s bias. In addition, the selected documentation received from the case study may not be representative for the case study organization. The presented research shows that the Dutch railway sector is a sector which deserves further research to learn from their innovative maintenance practices on a more detailed process level. In addition, the presented framework is a step towards a holistic innovation management framework which can be used to analyze innovations on a sectoral level. The research results give practitioners insights on how to develop innovation management practices in the railway sector. This research presents an in-depth analysis on the innovation management practices that have been applied in the successful Dutch railway sector from the perspective of a railway service provider.

Keywords

Railways Innovations Innovation management Processes 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Arshad, A. M., & Su, Q. (2015). Interlinking service delivery innovation and service quality: A conceptual framework. Journal of Applied Business Research, 31(5), 1807–1822.  https://doi.org/10.19030/jabr.v31i5.9393.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Barth, H., Ulvenblad, P. O. & Ulvenblad, P. (2017). Towards a conceptual framework of sustainable business model innovation in the agri-food sector: A systematic literature review. Sustainability (Switzerland) (Vol. 9, Issue 9).  https://doi.org/10.3390/su9091620.
  3. Bélanger, S., Veilleux, S., & Tremblay, M. (2016). A conceptual framework on the role of creativity in sustaining continuous innovation in new product development. International Journal of Product Development, 21(2/3), 190.  https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPD.2016.078866.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. Berkowitz, H. (2018). Meta-organizing firms’ capabilities for sustainable innovation: A conceptual framework. Journal of Cleaner Production, 175, 420–430.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.028.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Binz, C., & Truffer, B. (2017). Global innovation systems—A conceptual framework for innovation dynamics in transnational contexts. Research Policy, 46(7), 1284–1298.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2017.05.012.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. Botschen, G., & Wegerer, P. K. (2017). Brand-driven retail format innovation: a conceptual framework. International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, 45(7–8), 874–891.  https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-10-2016-0181.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Buliga, O., Scheiner, C. W., & Voigt, K. I. (2016). “Business model innovation and organizational resilience: towards an integrated conceptual framework. Journal of Business Economics, 86(6), 647–670.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11573-015-0796-y.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Caiazza, R. (2017). Innovation for sustainablity: a conceptual framework. Journal of Management Development, 36(1), 37–47.  https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-09-2014-0099.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Cajaiba-Santana, G. (2014). Social innovation: Moving the field forward. A conceptual framework. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 82(1), 42–51.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2013.05.008.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Caputo, A., Marzi, G., & Pellegrini, M. M. (2016). The Internet of Things in manufacturing innovation processes: Development and application of a conceptual framework. Business Process Management Journal, 22(2), 383–402.  https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-05-2015-0072.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Chernoivanova, A. S. (2015). Conceptual framework for organization of innovations and innovative work. International Business Management, 9(6), 1063–1068.  https://doi.org/10.3923/ibm.2015.1063.1068.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Christofi, M., et al. (2015). Innovation and cause-related marketing success: A conceptual framework and propositions. Journal of Services Marketing, 29(5), 354–366.  https://doi.org/10.1108/JSM-04-2014-0114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. Coutelle-Brillet, P., Riviere, A., & des Garets, V. (2014). Perceived value of service innovation: A conceptual framework. Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, 29(2), 164–172.  https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-04-2012-0066.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. De Waal, G. A. (2016). An extended conceptual framework for product-market innovation. International Journal of Innovation Management, 20(05), 1640008.  https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919616400089.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. Dubina, I. N., et al. (2017). The balanced development of the spatial innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem based on principles of the systems compromise: A Conceptual Framework. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 8(2), 438–455.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-016-0426-0.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. El-Griffin, E. W. (2015). Network-based resources for the innovation process of South African micro-entrepreneurs: A conceptual framework. South African Journal of Business Management, 46(3), 79–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. Erzurumlu, S. S. (2017). 4Cs of innovation: A conceptual framework for evaluating innovation strategy. IEEE Engineering Management Review, 45(3), 42–53.  https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2017.2734321.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. Evens, G. L. (2013). A novice researcher’s first walk through the maze of grounded theory: Rationalization for classical grounded theory. The Grounded Theory Review, 12(1), 37–55.Google Scholar
  19. Gaziulusoy, A. I., & Brezet, H. (2015). Design for system innovations and transitions: A conceptual framework integrating insights from sustainablity science and theories of system innovations and transitions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 108, 1–11.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.06.066.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Grubb, M., McDowall, W., & Drummond, P. (2017). On order and complexity in innovations systems: Conceptual frameworks for policy mixes in sustainability transitions. Energy Research and Social Science. Elsevier, 33(April), 21–34.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.09.016.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Hashmi, A., et al. (2017). A conceptual framework for describing the innovation in teams. International Journal of Economic Research, 14(2), 59–72.Google Scholar
  22. Hastuti, A. W., et al. (2016). The role of intrapreneurship for sustainable innovation through process innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises: A conceptual framework. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 6(S3), 83–91.  https://doi.org/10.1354/vp.45-1-73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. Kumar, V. (2014). Understanding cultural differences in innovation: A conceptual framework and future research directions. Journal of International Marketing, 22(3), 1–29.  https://doi.org/10.1509/jim.14.0043.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Kuzmin, O. I., & Grom, O. B. (2014). Conceptual framework for express diagnostic. Actual Problems of Economics, 1(151), 193–202.Google Scholar
  25. Lager, T. (2017). A conceptual analysis of conditions for innovation in the process industries and a guiding framework for industry collaboration and further research. International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 9(3), 189–219.  https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTLID.2017.087403.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. Lee, I. (2015). The internet of things (IoT) for supply chain innovation: A conceptual framework and analysis of fortune 200 companies. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 9(1), 81–104.Google Scholar
  27. Liu, S. Y., et al. (2017). A conceptual framework for agri-food Tourism as an eco-innovation strategy in small farms. Sustainability (Switzerland), 9(10), 1–11.  https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101683.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. Maier, M. A., Brem, A., & Kauke, M. (2016). Exploring boundaries of corporate social responsibility and innovation: a conceptual framework of socio-political stakeholders and their integration into the innovation process. International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 10(3), 312–337.  https://doi.org/10.1504/IJISD.2016.077515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  29. Malik, K., & Bergfeld, M. M. (2015). A conceptual framework for intra-company technology transfer: cases of leveraging production process innovations across MNEs. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 27(10), 1129–1142.  https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2015.1060309.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  30. Mansour, D., & Barandas, H. (2017). High-tech Entrepreneurial content marketing for business model innovation: A conceptual framework. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 11(3), 296–311.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  31. Maritz, A., et al. (2014). Innovation education programs: Toward a conceptual framework. European Journal of Innovation Management, 17(2), 166–182.  https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-06-2013-0051.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  32. Morrar, R. (2015). Technological Public-private innovation networks: A conceptual framework describing their structure and mechanism of interaction. Technology Innovation Management Review, 5(8), 25–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  33. Mulyaningsih, H. D., Yudoko, G., & Rudito, B. (2016). Knowledge-based social innovation process in social enterprise: A conceptual framework. Advanced Science Letters, 22(5–6), 1393–1397.  https://doi.org/10.1166/asl.2016.6621.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  34. Overall, J. (2015). A conceptual framework of innovation and performance: The importance of leadership, relationship quality, and knowledge management. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 21(2), 41–54.Google Scholar
  35. Periac, F., David, A., & Roberson, Q. (2018). Clarifying the Interplay between social innovation and sustainable development: A conceptual framework rooted in paradox management. European Management Review, 15(1), 19–35.  https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  36. Phuc, N. H. (2015). Imitation and innovation in emerging countries: A conceptual framework for analysis. Journal of Innovation and Sustainability, 6(1), 37–47.Google Scholar
  37. ProRail. (2018). Annual report 2017. Jaarverslag, p. 164.  https://doi.org/10.1021/ie2022916.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. Rinkinen, S., & Harmaakorpi, V. (2018). The business ecosystem concept in innovation policy context: building a conceptual framework. Innovation, 31(3), 333–349.  https://doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2017.1300089.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  39. Rodriguez, L., & Da Cunha, C. (2018). Impacts of big data analytics and absorptive capacity on sustainable supply chain innovation: A conceptual framework. Scientific Journal of Logistics., 14(2), 151–161.  https://doi.org/10.17270/J.LOG.267.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  40. Saldaña, J. (2015) The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage.Google Scholar
  41. Shao, L., Xue, Y., & You, J. (2014). A conceptual framework for business model innovation: The case of electric vehicles in China Koncepcyjne ramy dla modelowych rozwiązań biznesowych: Przypadek samochodów elektrycznych w Chinach. Problems of Sustainable Development, 9(2), 27–37.Google Scholar
  42. Sindakis, S. (2015). Corporate venturing and customer-driven innovation in the mental health-care market: a review of the literature and development of a conceptual framework. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 6(4), 1013–1033.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-013-0173-4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  43. Somers, S., & Stapleton, L. (2014). e-Agricultural innovation using a human-centred systems lens, proposed conceptual framework. AI & SOCIETY, 29(2), 193–202.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-013-0475-x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  44. Takey, S. M., & Carvalho, M. M. (2016). Fuzzy front end of systemic innovations: A conceptual framework based on a systematic literature review. Technological Forecasting and Social Change., 111, 97–109.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2016.06.011.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  45. Tang, M., et al. (2015). Strengthening regional integration/cooperation with the Neighbourhood System of Innovation conceptual framework: the case of China and ASEAN. Asian Journal of Technology Innovation, 23(2), 205–229.  https://doi.org/10.1080/19761597.2015.1074511.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  46. Tariq, A., et al. (2017). “Drivers and consequences of green product and process innovation: A systematic review, conceptual framework, and future outlook. Technology in Society, 51, 8–23.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2017.06.002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  47. Troilo, G., De Luca, L. M., & Guenzi, P. (2017). Linking data-rich environments with service innovation in incumbent firms: A conceptual framework and research propositions. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 34(5), 617–639.  https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12395.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  48. Villa, M. B. A. & Alzate, B. A. (2017). Entrepreneurial orientation, resources and capabilities: A conceptual framework review for innovation. Espacios TA - TT, (Vol. 38, Issue. 38).Google Scholar
  49. Weisberg, R. W., Speck, R. M., & Fleisher, L. A. (2014). Fostering innovation in medicine: A conceptual framework for medical centers. Healthcare, 2(2), 90–93.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hjdsi.2013.09.007.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  50. Zhang, T., Kandampully, J., & Bilgihan, A. (2015). Motivations for customer engagement in online co-innovation communities. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 6(3), 311–328.  https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-10-2014-0062.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  • S. K. Wu
    • 1
    Email author
  • A. J. J. Braaksma
    • 1
  • Leo A. M. van Dongen
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Maintenance Engineering GroupUniversity of TwenteEnschedeThe Netherlands
  2. 2.Netherlands RailwaysUtrechtThe Netherlands

Personalised recommendations

Cite chapter

Buy options