Because R&D takes place in a social context, the challenge is to implement a climate of active participation and minimal conflict. Too much discipline could thereby endanger the employees’ creativity, whereas too much freedom could on the other hand waste resources. The following figure (Enkel/Perez-Freije study 2007) shows this dilemma situation of Innovation Controlling.

In the early innovation phase, there has to be sufficient freedom for creativity, while in the development phase, leadership and discipline have to be guaranteed. Or in the words of the study of University St. Gallen:

“Successful companies have an appropriately focused innovation control system; the right degree of freedom has been established and the right decisions have been made.”