Innovation and Ontologies

344 Outlook
3 Outlook
This chapter introduces open research questions and indicates need for further activity in the
field. First, section 3.1 illustrates three strands of research which might be followed to further
investigate the OntoGate. The research strands target validity of the OntoGate, its potential
deployment in a business context and the details of the Design Science Ontology Lifecycle.
Besides their academic influence, research results on idea assessment and selection have
implications for management. Therefore, in addition to the suggestions for further research,
possible implications of this thesis for business are presented (cf. section 3.2).
3.1 Further Research
This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
(Winston Churchill)
The previous sections have indicated the pioneering character of the research project and the
fundamental character of research outcomes. By elaboration of the OntoGate, a method has been
added to the knowledge base which is able to increase effectiveness of idea assessment during the
Fuzzy Front End. It has been exemplarily shown that an ontological approach to this field is
feasible.
From this point of departure, three strands of research seem particularly interesting:
• the validity of the OntoGate, i.e. its correct representation of the business domain,
• the potential of the OntoGate in a business context, as well as
• the activities of the Design Science Ontology Lifecycle.
To improve the validity of components of the OntoGate, the method ought to be applied to a
representative number of companies. Research might be done along various trajectories. I suggest
three possibilities which contribute to the refinement of the frame ontology.
• Representation of idea assessment of technology-driven manufacturing small and medium-sized
enterprises. This allows for analysis and comparison of company-specific approaches and to
enhance validity of the typic OntoGate.
• Representation of idea assessment of small and medium-sized enterprises from (several) different
industries. Possible research questions include the analysis and comparison of company-specific
approaches in each industry and refinement of the generic OntoGate.
• Representation of technology-driven manufacturing large companies. Analysis and comparison of the
different approaches would provide more detailed insights into the importance of company
size for idea assessment.