How Data Analytics Can Drive Innovation - Knowledge@Wharton

Data presents an invaluable opportunity for firms to innovate, but only if they know what to do with it. In her latest research, Wharton professor of operations, information and decisions Lynn Wu looks at how different organizational structures influence the use of data analytics to spur innovation. Her paper, "Data Analytics Supports Decentralized Innovation," is forthcoming in the journal Management Science and was co-authored by Wharton operations, information and decisions professor Lorin Hitt and Wharton doctoral candidate Bowen Lou. Wu spoke with Knowledge@Wharton about the research. An edited transcript of the conversation follows.