Project Portfolio Management in the Front-End of Innovation of Research Centers: a Literature Review

Abstract

This study presents an integrative literature review on the processes, techniques, and capabilities of managing project portfolios, and on how they are discussed from the perspectives of innovation, ideation, and dynamic capabilities. The relationship among these topics is described in the scope of not-for-profit research centers. This study aims at addressing the problem of selecting and identifying the "best" opportunities in not-for-profit research centers that aim to impact society by transferring their R&D results to business enterprises. The purpose of not-for-profit research centers, as the name suggests, is different from that of for-profit companies. Companies target profit generation and thus innovation gets motivated by an expectation to increase sales and revenues. Not-for-profit research centers, on the other hand, are typically funded by public state budgets. They have a mission to advance knowledge, train researchers, and explore areas that may not be profitable in the short or even medium-term. However, most of these research entities seek to promote close relationships with companies, and thus enable knowledge and technology transfers.