Research seminar: Anita Friis Sommer

Title: Mission-Driven Innovation: Leading Technology Innovation Under Complexity

Speaker: Anita Friis Sommer, Head of Operations, The Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center, Anita Friis Sommer - Aarhus University.

Abstract: Traditional innovation approaches are no longer sufficient on their own. As technology development becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, organizations must move beyond isolated methods and instead design coherent innovation systems that align purpose, strategy, governance, leadership, innovation processes, financial structures, and digital technologies. This seminar introduces the emerging field of Mission-Driven Innovation and explores how organizations can accelerate breakthrough technology innovation while maintaining strategic direction, learning capability, and long-term value creation.

Drawing on research within technology and innovation management, including my work on the Agile-Stage-Gate® model, as well as my executive leadership experience from industry and applied research environments, the seminar examines why many innovation transformations succeed locally but struggle to scale across organizations. The session presents a systems perspective on innovation leadership and discusses how mission-driven approaches can support both accelerated innovation and organizational resilience.

The seminar combines academic insights with practical cases from advanced manufacturing, sustainability transitions, and emerging technology development.