The Front End of Innovation in Converging Industries The Case of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods

Stefanie Bröring analyses different project types, innovation strategies and front end decision making approaches in the converging sector of nutraceuticals and functional foods which is developing at the border of the pharmaceutical and the food industry. She shows that front end decision making in times of industry convergence is challenged by internal rigidities resulting from path dependency and describes how to successfully approach the front of innovation in times of convergence.

Innovation, innovation process and the front end of innovation Industry convergence as a context for the front end of innovation Assessment of the front end in converging industries Empirical analysis of the front end in converging industries Discussion of findings and implications for theory and practice