Short answer
Integrate agile control principles into innovation portfolio management to foster both sustainability and economic success.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Journal of Product Innovation Management (2025)
- Method
- Scale development and validation, quantitative analysis
- Sample
- Multiple samples used in scale development, specific numbers not detailed in the abstract.
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Strategic actors can leverage agile control mechanisms to simultaneously steer innovation portfolios towards sustainability goals and improve overall economic performance. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Journal of Product Innovation Management. Using Scale development and validation, quantitative analysis with Multiple samples used in scale development, specific numbers not detailed in the abstract., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate agile control principles into innovation portfolio management to foster both sustainability and economic success.
Agile control mechanisms enhance innovation portfolio sustainability and performance
Strategic actors can leverage agile control mechanisms to simultaneously steer innovation portfolios towards sustainability goals and improve overall economic performance.
Journal of Product Innovation Management · 2025
Key Findings
- 01A novel conceptualization of 'agile control' in IPM was developed.
- 02A validated measurement instrument for agile control in IPM was created.
- 03Agile control is positively related to both portfolio sustainability and economic performance.
Application
Design takeaway
Integrate agile control principles into innovation portfolio management to foster both sustainability and economic success.
How to apply
Develop and implement formal mechanisms that encourage customer-centricity, rapid adaptation, and sustainability awareness within your innovation portfolio management processes.
Project actions
- 01When managing your design project, think about how you can be agile in your decision-making.
- 02Consider how customer feedback can be integrated quickly and how sustainability goals can be a core part of your project's direction.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Novel conceptualization and measurement of agile control.
- +Empirical validation of the relationship between agile control, sustainability, and performance.
Limitations
The effectiveness of agile control might vary depending on the industry, company size, and the specific nature of the innovation projects.
Reliability & validity
The study employed a rigorous scale development process with multiple samples, enhancing the reliability and validity of the agile control measurement instrument.
Think critically
To what extent can 'agile control' be universally applied across all types of innovation and all organizational structures, or are there specific contexts where it is more or less effective?
Design Principles
"Agile control in innovation portfolio management drives both sustainability and performance."
This research highlights a critical gap in understanding how to actively manage innovation portfolios for sustainability. By developing and validating a concept of 'agile control,' it provides a framework for designers and strategists to integrate sustainability considerations into the innovation process without sacrificing economic viability.
What This Means for Your Design
Using a flexible and customer-focused management style for innovation projects can make those projects better for the environment and more profitable.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing how to manage innovation portfolios for both sustainability and performance, particularly when exploring agile methodologies or control mechanisms in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The study by Müller, Röth, and Spieth (2025) offers valuable insights into managing innovation portfolios for sustainability. Their research introduces the concept of 'agile control,' which involves using formal mechanisms to guide innovation towards customer focus and adaptability. They found that this approach positively impacts both the sustainability of innovation portfolios and their economic performance, suggesting that integrating such agile control strategies can be beneficial for achieving dual objectives in design projects.
Source
Journal of Product Innovation Management
Steering the Sustainability Course of Innovation Portfolios: An Agile Control Perspective
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about agile control mechanisms enhance innovation portfolio sustainability and performance?
- Integrate agile control principles into innovation portfolio management to foster both sustainability and economic success. Evidence: Journal of Product Innovation Management (2025).
- Why does "Agile control mechanisms enhance innovation portfolio sustainability and performance" matter for design?
- This research highlights a critical gap in understanding how to actively manage innovation portfolios for sustainability. By developing and validating a concept of 'agile control,' it provides a framework for designers and strategists to integrate sustainability considerations into the innovation process without sacrificing economic viability.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Integrate agile control principles into innovation portfolio management to foster both sustainability and economic success.
- What were the main findings?
- A novel conceptualization of 'agile control' in IPM was developed.. A validated measurement instrument for agile control in IPM was created.. Agile control is positively related to both portfolio sustainability and economic performance.
- What research method was used?
- Scale development and validation, quantitative analysis with Multiple samples used in scale development, specific numbers not detailed in the abstract..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Journal of Product Innovation Management.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Develop and implement formal mechanisms that encourage customer-centricity, rapid adaptation, and sustainability awareness within your innovation portfolio management processes.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on the conceptualization and measurement of agile control; further research may be needed to explore specific implementation strategies across diverse organizational contexts.