Leveraged Innovation : Unlocking the Innovation Potential of Strategic Supply

Leveraged Innovation reveals that a dramatically different approach to the supplier-client relationship is being developed by leading companies around the world. It documents the benefits of Early Supplier Involvement (ESI), a radically new approach to inter-company relations which is providing a powerful impetus for increased creativity. Based on the findings of a European Research team, the text clearly shows how, why and to what effect suppliers the world over are becoming increasingly involved in the innovation process itself. Leveraged Innovation demonstrates and documents the process through which increased co-operation can lead to real competitive advantage. Leveraged Innovation is both an introduction to Early Supplier Involvement and a dynamic overview of best practise around the world. It provides important practical insights for enterprising companies, enabling the development and maintenance of ESI programmes of their own.

FRANCIS BIDAULT is Professor of Strategy and Innovation Management and Deputy Director of the Theseus Institute, Sophia Antipolis, France. He has published extensively, his most recent book publication is Trust: Firm and Society (Macmillan, 1998). He has been a consultant to numerous organisations including Caterpillar, Bosch, Baxter Renal, Electricite de France, Du Pont de Nemours, and Philips DAP and has for many years been closely involved in executive education teaching at IMD and EM Lyon (Lyon Graduate School of Business).

CHARLES DESPRES is a Professor at the Graduate School of Business Marseille-Provence, an Affiliated Professor at theTheseus Institute and an Associate Professor at l'Institue d'Adminstration des Enterprises, Aix-en-Provence. He is a researcher and author who addresses issues of organization, information, technology and culture. Formally a Research Fellow at IMD and an executive in North America, his current research programme concentrates on knowledge management.

CHRISTINA BUTLER is currently at London Business School, researching cross-boundary groups. An author of articles in the International Journal of Technology Management and Research Policy, she is also an experienced conference speaker. Previously a Research Associate at IMD, she now combines her research with Executive Education programs at the Theseus Institute and at London Business School.