FENS Seminars – Dr. Ceyda Ovacı, Dr. Merih Pasin, Dr. Mehmet N. Aydın

17 November 2023
14:00 - 15:00
Cinema-B

Dr. Ceyda Ovacı (Okan University), Dr. Merih Pasin (İstanbul Innovation Institute), and Dr. Mehmet N. Aydın (Kadir Has University) will be the next guests of the KHAS Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences seminar series with their speech “Human and Competency in Innovation Management Strategy-Based Integrated Competence Management Module Development Project” on Friday, November 17 at 2 PM at Cinema-B. The event is open to anyone interested.

Abstract: It is possible for companies to achieve sustainable and profitable growth through innovation with an integrated system, a strategic approach, and competent human resources. Businesses that try to keep up with change; need to invest in the workforce and create policies to increase their competencies with a lifelong learning perspective. The increasing need for innovation reinforces the importance of creating human skills that coincide with technology and expanding competency networks. Companies need to understand and implement organizational differences, strategic focus, and diverse competency needs in managing competency. However, there is a lack of an integrated method that supports the decision-makers in identifying and developing strategy-based critical competencies, in-house competency network distribution, and competency funding. So, we’d like to address the following research questions: How can companies define competencies in line with their business and innovation strategies developed to ensure flexibility, speed, and efficiency in competition? How can companies map innovation-focused competencies in the organization? What kind of financial models can be developed for the preservation of competencies? In this talk, we present our TÜBİTAK funded research project* outputs that include competence index and measurement tools for 21st century competencies, a roadmap by matching strategies and competencies, and converting competencies into information that can be quickly accessed and visible within the organization. We further discuss the managerial and research implications of the findings.

* This research project (121K706) was funded by TÜBİTAK 3501 Program.

About the Speakers:

Dr. Ceyda Ovaci is Assistant Prof and Manager of the Sustainability and Innovation Center at Istanbul Okan University, Istanbul. She has published articles and book chapters on open innovation, Innovation management, and innovation competencies. She is currently a coordinator of the Human and Competency in Innovation Management – Strategy-Based Integrated Competence Management Module Development Project. Dr. Ovaci is a delegate of ISOTC279 Innovation Management WG and a board member of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology. She is also an academic mentor of the InoSuit Program of the Turkish Exporters Assembly.

Dr. Merih Pasin holds over 30 international patents and publications and has over 20 years of corporate experience in innovative project management, intellectual property rights, and new business development with multi-cultural project teams. He is also a keynote speaker on relevant topics. He is currently the academic coordinator for the InoSuit Program of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM). İnosuit program has implemented the Corporate Innovation System (KİSTM) to over 200 companies with the participation of 50 academic mentors at 30 universities since 2016. He also lectures on innovation management and new product development at Izmir Institute of Technology. He is also a co-founder of the Istanbul Innovation Institute.

Dr. Mehmet N. Aydin is an Associate Professor and Head of the Management Information Systems Department at Kadir Has University, İstanbul. He has provided organizations with expertise in corporate innovation systems, data, and technology management. He holds a PhD in Management Information Systems from the University of Twente. Dr. Aydin worked at the Institute for Innovation and Technology Management, Ryerson University (Canada). He has published over 70 articles as journal papers, and book chapters. Dr. Aydin has experience with various roles (coordinator, project leader, lead scientist, mentor) and has participated in various research and development projects supported by funding agencies including Horizon ERA-NET.

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