Teaching The Fuzzy Front End Of Innovation: Real-Life Application With Cross-Functional And International Teams

Abstract

The fuzzy front end of innovation presents one of the biggest opportunities for improving the overall innovation process and thus success in the marketplace. However, in the teaching of graduate students, universities have only recently begun to pay attention to this significant and uncertain phase. This paper attempts to develop and test course structures to suit the complex nature of the fuzzy front end and to shed light on student learning experiences in a cross-functional concept development course in an international context. The paper adopts an experiential learning perspective and relies on real-life experiences, students’ trial and error processes, conceptualization, and reflecting on learning experiences. The results reveal student learning with respect to (a) understanding the process of innovation in the fuzzy front end, (b) cross-functional and cross-cultural teamwork, (c) project management, and (d) presentation skills. These skills help students build and experience a professional identity. Finally, the paper presents and discusses suggestions for developing graduate teaching in the fuzzy front end.