Strategic Idea Revival: How Creators Leverage Evaluator Turnover to Resubmit Rejected Ideas
Dr Valentina Tartari will examine how evaluator turnover shapes the resubmission of previously rejected proposals, in a paper co-authored with Johanna Schnier.
Abstract:
Idea rejection is a common yet often overlooked aspect of the creative process. While prior research emphasizes the benefits of revising ideas after rejection, we propose an alternative strategy: strategic idea revival. Rather than modifying their ideas, creators may choose to resubmit rejected proposals when the evaluators responsible for rejection have departed. Using data from the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s proposal review process, we find that applicants are more likely to resubmit rejected ideas when a greater share of intellectually close evaluators have left the panel. Moreover, evaluator turnover increases the likelihood of resubmitting “boomerang” ideas—those nearly identical to the previously rejected idea. Strategic idea revival yields selection rates comparable to idea revision, challenging the dominant view that creators should pivot after rejection.
Speaker Bio:
Valentina Tartari is the Jacob and Marcus Wallenberg Professor of Innovative and Sustainable Business Development at the Department of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology (DEIT), where she is the director of the JMW Center. She is also affiliated with the department of Strategy and Innovation at Copenhagen Business School. Her research focuses on the determinants of knowledge production and transfer, inside and outside academia. Specifically, she studies how academic researchers produce scientific knowledge and how this knowledge is transferred to industry and society. Valentina is also interested in the role universities have in stimulating local entrepreneurship. Valentina is currently the Program chair for the TIM division of the Academy of Management. She is also a member of the executive committee of the SEI Consortium. Valentina referees for all the most prominent management and innovation journals (Research Policy, Academy of Management Journal, Organization Science, Strategic Management Journal, Management Science), and she is part the Editorial Board of Research Policy and of Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal.
The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research runs a series of regular seminars given by visiting speakers to Manchester. These seminars are open to anybody who is interested in science, technology and innovation policy and management.
This event is in person for AMBS and UoM staff and students, with an online option available. External participants are welcome to join online via Microsoft Teams.
