Andrea Piccaluga, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies

Rosa Grimaldi, University of Bologna

Tim Minshall, University of Cambridge

Zhou Yuan, Tsinghua University

Giovanni Tolin, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies

Company case studies were once central to R&D management research but have become increasingly marginal. This special issue seeks to restore their importance by publishing rigorous, in-depth case studies that capture how organizations manage their R&D functions and provide insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.

The decline stems from publication pressures favoring quantitative work, diminished academic engagement with practitioners, and companies' limited willingness to participate in research. Yet case studies remain essential for understanding the complex, context-specific mechanisms shaping R&D processes that quantitative metrics alone cannot capture.

Submissions should present single or multiple company case studies grounded in rigorous qualitative methodology. Co-authored contributions from academics and practitioners are encouraged. Case studies should demonstrate depth of primary source access, advance existing theory or identify new research directions, and address topics including R&D strategy, organization, product development, and collaborations.

Appel publié par R and D Management. Voir l'appel sur le site de l'éditeur. Fiche de l'appel sur kerostig.

Potential topics

• R&D strategy and organization
• Product and process development and innovation
• Creativity in R&D
• R&D collaborations and partnerships
• R&D activities in SMEs
• Intra-organizational and inter-organizational R&D processes
• How companies organize and manage R&D, technology, and innovation activities
• Single and multiple company case studies that advance theory in R&D management

Timeline

• June 22, 2026: R&D Management Conference track at University of Manchester for early feedback on paper ideas
• November 1, 2026: Submission window opens
• December 31, 2026: Full manuscript submission deadline