Assessing Transition Practices from Innovation to Commercialisation : A Case Study at Xylem

In today’s dynamic landscape of innovative industries, the ability to execute efficient transitions from ideation to incubation, and ultimately to commercialisation, is essential for improving the rate of successfully implemented innovation maintaining competitiveness. However, theoretical and practical gaps in knowledge transfer process pose a significant challenge to establishing a coherent and standardised handover strategy across innovation processes. This thesis explore the complex gap through an in-depth case study in collaboration with Xylem, revealing common organisational pitfalls such as unclear role definitions, insufficient documentation practices, lack of organised workflows, and recurring communication breakdowns. By applying established frameworks from knowledge management and innovation theory, specifically the SECI model and the Product Innovation Readiness Level (P-IRL) framework, this study validates their potential effectiveness in enhancing handover efficiency, process transparency, and continued knowledge continuity within innovation projects. Conducted in collaboration with an external industry partner actively engaged in global innovation initiatives, the research offers actionable, practical recommendations and highlights the strategic value of structured knowledge flows and robust innovation evaluation mechanisms. While limited by its single-case design, the study provides a valuable foundation and proposes directions for future research that could involve broader empirical investigations across diverse organisational settings.