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Sebastian Fixson

  • Professor
  • Faculty Director DBA program
  • Marla M. Capozzi MBA '96 Term Chair in Design Thinking, Innovation and Entrepren
Academic Division: Operations and Information Management
Sebastian Fixson is Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Innovation at the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, and Professor of Innovation & Design, at Babson College. As Associate Dean, he oversees the management of current graduate programs and is also responsible for the initiation and launch of new initiatives.

Dr. Fixson concentrates his work on helping people and organizations build innovation capabilities. In his research, he investigates how factors such as structure and governance of innovation processes, practices like design thinking, and the use of digital design tools affect the nature and outcome of innovation work.

Dr. Fixson teaches innovation, design, and operations management related courses and executive education programs at Babson College, USA, and Universities and Companies around the World. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Fixson has innovated on new ways of teaching innovation, including programs, spaces, and simulations. From 2014-2017, he served as the founding Faculty Director of Babson's Master of Science in Management in Entrepreneurial Leadership (MSEL) program. He also works with industrial clients and partners in industries ranging from health care, to manufacturing, and to software.

Dr. Fixson's writes for both academic and practitioner audiences, and his work has appeared in books and journals such as Concurrent Engineering, Creativity and Innovation Management, Design Management Review, European Management Review, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Informs Transactions on Education, International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Product Innovation Management, MIT Sloan Management Review, Research Policy, Research-Technology Management, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, as well as online outlets such as Harvard Business Review online. His latest book “The Innovation Navigator,” co-authored with Tucker Marion, provides guidance for executives on how to structure and organize innovation processes (published by University of Toronto Press in November 2018).

Dr. Fixson holds a Diplom-Ingenieur (MSc) degree in mechanical engineering from Technical University Karlsruhe, Germany, and a PhD in Technology, Management, and Policy from MIT.

Academic Degrees

  • Ph D, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • MS, University of Karlsruhe

Academic Interest / Expertise

Innovation; Design Thinking; Product Design and Development; Operations Management; Corporate Entrepreneurship

Awards & Honors

  • 2022 — Winner (w. co-author Tucker Marion) of 2021 Thomas P. Hustad Award for Best Paper in the Journal of Product Innovation Management (JPIM) in 2021, Product Development Management Association (PDMA)
  • 2020 — Winner (with co-authors Sihem BenMahmoud-Jouini and Didier Boulet) of 2020 Maurice Holland Award for Best Paper in the Journal Research-Technology Management (RTM) in 2019, Innovation Research Interchange (IRI)
  • 2019 — Marla M. Capozzi MBA '96 Term Chair in Design Thinking, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Babson
  • 2018 — Gold Medal, 2018 International Serious Play Awards
  • 2016 — Finalist for the Entrepreneurship Division-McGrawHill Innovation in Entrepreneurship Pedagogy Award, Academy of Management Entrepreneurship Division
  • 2016 — Babson Research Scholar, Babson College
  • 2014 — Deans Award for Excellence in Teaching across all Programs, Babson College
  • 2013 — Babson Research Scholar, Babson College
  • 2012 — Finalist, Best Paper Award, Academy of Management

Courses

  • Degree Courses 2025

    • DBA 8111 INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC RESEARCH

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Fixson, S.K. (2023). An Operations Management Perspective on Design Thinking. Foundations and Trends® in Technology, Information and Operations Management. Vol: 17, Issue: 3, Page: 155-234. Now Publisher. link
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K. (2021). The Transformation of the Innovation Process: How Digital Tools are Changing Work, Collaboration, and Organizations in New Product Development. Journal of Product Innovation Management. Vol: 38, Issue: 1, Page: 192-215. Wiley.
  • Meinel, M., Eismann, T.T., Baccarella, C.V., Fixson, S.K., Voigt, K. (2020). Does applying design thinking result in better new product concepts than a traditional innovation approach? An experimental comparison study. European Management Review. Vol: 38, Issue: 4, Page: 661-671. Elsevier BV. link
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K., Brown, G. (2020). Four Skills Tomorrow’s Innovation Workforce Will Need. MIT Sloan Management Review. Vol: 61, Issue: 3, Page: 8-13. MIT.
  • Seidel, V.P., Fixson, S.K., Marion, T.J. (2020). Innovating how to learn design thinking, making, and innovation: Incorporating multiple modes in teaching the innovation process. INFORMS Transactions on Education. Vol: 20, Issue: 2, Page: 73-84. link
  • Ben Mahmoud-Jouini, S., Fixson, S.K., Boulet, D. (2019). Making Design Thinking Work - Adapting an Innovation Approach to Fit a Large Technology-Driven Firm. Research Technology Management. Vol: 62, Issue: 5, Page: 50-58.
  • Smith, C., Fixson, S.K., Paniagua-Ferrari, C., Parise, S.A. (2017). Evolution of an Innovation Capability - Making Crowdsourcing Work Within a Large Enterprise. Research Technology Management. Vol: 60, Issue: 2, Page: 26-34.
  • Fixson, S.K., Khachatryan, D., Lee, W. (2017). Technological Uncertainty and Firm Boundaries: The Moderating Effect of Knowledge Modularity. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol: 64, Issue: 1, Page: 16-28. IEEE.
  • Fixson, S.K., Marion, T.J. (2016). A Case Study of Crowsourcing Gone Wrong. Harvard Business Review (Print Edition). Harvard Business Press. link
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K. (2016). The 4 Main Ways to Innovate in a Digital Economy. Harvard Business Review (Print Edition). Harvard Business Press. link
  • Fixson, S.K., Rao, J.A. (2014). Learning Emergent Strategies Through Design Thinking. Design Management Review. Vol: 25, Issue: 1, Page: 46-53. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. link
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K. (2014). Factors Affecting the Use of Outside, Intermittent Resources during NPD. International Journal of Innovation Science. Vol: 6, Issue: 1, Page: 1-18. Multi-Science Publishing Co. Ltd.. link
  • Seidel, V.P., Fixson, S.K. (2013). Adopting Design Thinking in Novice Multidisciplinary Teams: The Application and Limits of Design Methods and Reflexive Practices. Journal of Product Innovation Management. Vol: 30, Issue: S1, Page: 19-33. Wiley. link
  • Fixson, S.K., Marion, T.J. (2012). Back Loading: A Potential Side Effect of Employing Digital Design Tools in New Product Development. Journal of Product Innovation Management. Vol: 29, Issue: S1, Page: 140-156. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc..
  • Fixson, S.K., Read, J.M. (2012). Creating Innovation Leaders: Why We Need to Blend Business and Design Education. Design Management Review. Vol: 23, Issue: 4, Page: 4-12. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Fixson, S.K. (2012). Teaching Innovation through Interdisciplinary Courses and Programs in Product Design and Development. IEEE Engineering Management Review. Vol: 40, Issue: 2, Page: 48-58.
  • Marion, T., Fixson, S.K., Meyer, M.H. (2012). The Problem with Digital Design . MIT Sloan Management Review. Vol: 53, Issue: 4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. link
  • Fixson, S.K., Lee, W.H. (2012). Shifting Grounds: how industry emergence changes the effectiveness of knowledge creation strategies - the case of the US automotive airbag industry. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. Vol: 24, Issue: 1, Page: 1-19. Routledge.
  • Fixson, S.K. (2009). Teaching Innovation through Interdisciplinary Courses and Programs in Product Design and Development: an analysis at 16 US Schools. Creativity and Innovation Management. Vol: 18, Issue: 3, Page: 199-208. Emerald.
  • Ro, Y., Liker, J.K., Fixson, S.K. (2008). Evolving Models of Supplier Involvement in Design: The Deterioration of the Japanese Model in U.S. Auto. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol: 55, Issue: 2, Page: 359-377.
  • Fixson, S.K., Park, J.K. (2008). The Power of Integrality: Linkages between Product Architecture, Innovation, and Industry Structure. Research Policy. Issue: 37, Page: 1296-1316.
  • Fixson, S.K. (2007). Modularity and Commonality Research: Past Developments and Future Opportunities. Concurrent Engineering – Research and Applications. Vol: 15, Issue: 2, Page: 85-111. SAGE Publications. link
  • Fixson, S.K., Ro, Y., Liker, J.K. (2007). Modularity as a Strategy for Supply Chain Coordination: The Case of U.S. Auto. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol: 54, Issue: 1, Page: 172-189.
  • Fixson, S.K., Ro, Y., Liker , J.K. (2005). Modularization and Outsourcing: Who drives whom? A Study of Generational Sequences in the U.S. Automotive Cockpit Industry. International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management. Vol: 5, Issue: 2, Page: 166-183.
  • Fixson, S.K. (2005). Product architecture assessment: a tool to link product, process, and supply chain design decisions. Journal of Operations Management. Vol: 23, Issue: 3-4, Page: 345-369.

Books

  • Schweitzer, J., BenMahmoud-Jouini, S., Fixson, S.K. (2023). Transform with Design: Creating New Innovation Capabilities with Design Thinking. Rotman - University of Toronto Press.
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K. (2018). The Innovation Navigator - Transforming your organization in the era of digital design and collaborative culture: Innovation Navigator. Page: 187. University of Toronto Press. link

Cases and Teaching Notes

  • Fixson, S.K., Mulligan, P. (2016). The Grommet: Managing Operations at a fast-paced Start-Up. Issue: BAB 224, Page: 19. Babson College. link
  • Fixson, S.K. (2016). The Grommet: Managing Operations at a fast-paced Start-Up Teaching Note.

Book Chapters

  • Templeton, M., Fixson, S.K., Mazzoferro, M. (2023). Re-inventing health insurance - Implementing Design Thinking at BlueCrossBlueShield in Massachusetts: Starting with Design. University of Toronto - Rotman Press.
  • Meinel, M., Eismann, T., Fixson, S.K. (2023). The weakest link - the importance of problem framing in design thinking: Research Handbook on Design Thinking. Edward Elgar.
  • Dos Santos, J., Fixson, S.K. (2022). 10 Factors for Creating the Next Generation of Chief Design Officers: Design Museum Magazine - The Business of Design. Vol: 21, Issue: Winter 2021, Page: 64-67. Design Museum Foundation. link
  • Fixson, S.K., Seidel, V.P., Bailey, J. (2015). Creating Space for Innovation: The Role of a "Design Zone" within a Business School: Evolving Entrepreneurial Education: Innovation in the Babson Classroom. Page: 217-234. Emerald Publishing.
  • Fixson, S.K., Greenberg, D., Zacharakis, A.L. (2015). Leading entrepreneurial action project (LEAP): A project course integrating three disciplines: Evolving Entrepreneurial Education: Innovation in the Babson Classroom. Page: 175-190. Emerald.
  • Seidel, V.P., Fixson, S.K. (2015). Design Thinking for Non-Designers: A Guide for Team Training and Implementation: Design Thinking: New Product Development Essentials from the PDMA. Page: 143-155. Wiley.
  • Fixson, S.K. (2014). Exercises to practice empathy: The power of observation: Teaching Entrepreneurship: A Practice-Based Approach. Page: 139-145. Edward Elgar Pub.
  • Fixson, S.K., Rao, J.A. (2011). Creation Logic in Innovation: from Action learning to Expertise: The New Entrepreneurial Leader: Developing Leaders who Shape Social and Economic Opportunity. Page: 43-61. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc..
  • Ro, Y., Fixson, S.K., Liker, J.K. (2008). Modularity and Supplier Involvement in Product Development: Handbook on Product Development. Page: 217–258. Butterworth Heineman.
  • Fixson, S.K. (2006). A Roadmap for Product Architecture Costing: Product Platform and Product Family Design: Methods and Applications. Page: 305-333. Springer.

Reports

  • Fixson, S.K. (2018). Design & Innovation Centers in Academia: Sabbatical Report. Vol: BDL Report 2018-01.

Conference Proceedings

  • Fixson, S.K., O'Connor, G., Sims, J.P. (2025). Shadows from yesterday: How the invisible past shapes innovative organizations’ resilience response today: 32nd Innovation and Product Development Management Conference. EIASM.
  • Fixson, S.K. (2023). Seeing through the Fog: An Integrated Framework for Dynamic Performance Metrics within the Innovation Process: 30th Innovation and Product Development Management Conference. EIASM.
  • Meinel, M., Eismann, T., Fixson, S.K., Voigt, K. (2022). What's in a Problem? Identifying Key Characteristics of Problem Statements: AoM Annual Meetings. Academy of Management.
  • Fixson, S.K., Marion, T. (2022). An Integrative Framework for the Management of Front-End of Innovation (FEI) Activities of Complex Technological Systems: 29th Innovation and Product Development Management Conference. EIASM.
  • Schweitzer, J., BenMahmoud-Jouini, S., Fixson, S.K. (2022). Transformation through design: Key lessons from ten cases: 29th Innovation and Product Development Management Conference. EIASM.
  • dos Santos, J., Fixson, S.K., Rosa, C. (2021). Leading by Design - Why aren't there more designers in the C-suite: 28th Innovation and Product Development Management Conference. EIASM.
  • Dos Santos, J.M., Fixson, S.K., Rosa, C. (2020). Design(er) Leadership in Large Corporations. Page: 20. Academic Design Management Conference.
  • Eismann, T., Meinel, M., Baccharella, C., Fixson, S.K., Voigt, K. (2018). Untangling the Role of User Experience in Design Thinking through Experimental Evidence,. R&D Management Conference.
  • Ben Mahmoud-Jouini, S., Fixson, S.K. (2018). “I did it my way” – The Adoption of Design Thinking by a Technology-driven Firm . R&D Management Conference.
  • Marion, T., Fixson, S.K. (2018). The Influence of Collaborative IT on NPD. EIASM - 25th Innovation and Product Development Conference.
  • dos Santos, J., Cruz Rodriguez, A., Fixson, S.K. (2018). Why aren’t there more designers in executive positions in the top 50 Fortune 500 corporations?. Design Management Institute. link
  • Meinel, M., Eismann, T., Fixson, S.K., Voigt, K., Baccharella, C. (2018). How to make design tools work? Taking a closer look at the mechanisms in the needsfinding phase when generating new product concepts. EIASM - 25th Innovation and Product Development Conference.
  • Meinel, M., Eismann, T., Fixson, S.K. (2017). The Impact of Design Thinking on Creative Idea Generation: Proceedings of the 18th International Continuous Innovation Network Conference. Continous Innovation Network.
  • Fixson, S.K., Marion, T.J. (2016). When innovation stumbles - limits of open innovation?: Proceedings of the 23rd International Product Development Management Conference. EIASM.
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K. (2016). Strategies to expand the scope of your innovation engine: Proceedings of the 23rd International Product Development Management Conference.
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K. (2015). Does an Open Innovation Process influence NPD Effectiveness?: Proceedings of the 22nd International Product Development Management Conference. EIASM.
  • Fixson, S.K. (2015). Innovate to learn and learning to innovate: The role of an innovation contest to build innovative capacity: Proceedings of the 22nd International Product Development Management Conference. EIASM.
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K. (2014). Back-loading: An exploratory, quantitative investigation by NPD phase: Proceedings of the 21st International Product Development Management Conference. EIASM.
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K., Seidel, V.P. (2013). Teaching Innovation: It's not the Course, it's the Curriculum: Proceedings of the 20th International Product Development Management Conference.
  • Fixson, S.K., Marion, T.J. (2013). The Perfect Storm: How the Convergence of Digital Design, Rapid Prototyping, and Culture is changing Product Development: Proceedings of the 20th International Product Development Management Conference.
  • Dawson, B.A., Fixson, S.K., Whitney, D.E. (2012). Orchestrating Complex Product Development: Reducing Rework : Proceedings of the Academy of Management Annual Meeting. Academy of Management.
  • Marion, T.J., Fixson, S.K. (2012). New Ventures: the Project-level Dimension of Intermittent Non-Continuous Resource Involvement: Proceedings of the 19th International Product Development Management Conference.
  • Fixson, S.K., Park , J.K. (in press). A Test of Schilling’s Interfirm Product Modularity Model: The Bicycle Drivetrain Industry 1980-1990: Proceedings of the Academy of Management Annual Meeting.

Other

  • Marion, T., Fixson, S.K. (2017). Innovation Simulation: Breaking News. Harvard Business Publishing. link

Presentations

  • Shadows from yesterday: How the invisible past shapes innovative organizations’ resilience response today Fixson, S. 32nd Innovation and Product Development Management Conference, Porto, Portugal (2025)
  • How digital tools reshape work – What can we learn from the past? Fixson, S. Babson Research Day, Wellesley, MA (2025)
  • Panel Discussion: How do we lead creatives of today? How might we lead the creatives of the future? Fixson, S. Future of Creative Work Conference, London, UK (2024)
  • Building a resilient Culture to Navigate External Disruption Fixson, S. Innovation Research Interchange Roundtable, Boston, MA (2024)
  • A Framework for Better Problem Identification Fixson, S. Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL (2024)
  • Creativity in the Age of Gen AI: How do we decide what matters? Fixson, S. Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL (2024)
  • The Future of Learning and Work Fixson, S. Babson Research Day, Wellesley, MA (2024)
  • An Operations Management Perspective on Design Thinking Fixson, S. INFORMS Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ (2023)
  • Design Thinking in the World of AI Fixson, S. Marion, T. Design Thinking Observatory, virtual / Milano, Italy (2023)
  • Human-centered design in the age of AI and large-scale collaboration Fixson, S. Marion, T. 30th Innovation and Product Development Management Conference, Lecco, Italy (2023)
  • Seeing through the Fog: An integrated framework for dynamic performance metrics within the innovation process Fixson, S. 30th Innovation and Product Development Management Conference, Lecco, Italy (2023)
  • R&D in the Next Normal: The Future of Innovation Work Fixson, S. Babson Research Day, Wellesley, MA (2023)
  • Future of Work - What is next? Fixson, S. Babson Connect, Babson Park (2022)
  • Innovating how we teach Innovation: Technology Skills, Innovation Competence, and Extreme Innovation Fixson, S. Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA (2022)
  • What’s in a Problem? Identifying Key Characteristics of Problem Statements Fixson, S. Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA (2022)
  • An Integrative Framework for the Management of Front-End of Innovation (FEI) Activities of Complex Technological Systems Fixson, S. 29th International Product Development Management Conference, Hamburg, Germany (2022)
  • Transformation through design: Key lessons from ten cases Fixson, S. Schweitzer, J. 29th International Product Development Management Conference, Hamburg, Germany (2022)
  • R&D in the New and Next Normal Fixson, S. , G. Annual Meeting, Innovation Research Interchange, New Orleans, LA (2022)
  • Early Observations from the Future - R&D in the Next Normal Fixson, S. Babson Research Day, Wellesley, MA (2022)
  • Managing Modalities Fixson, S. Associate Deans Conference, St. Petersburg, FL (2021)
  • Leading by Design - Why aren't there more designers in the C-suite? Fixson, S. 28th Innovation and Product Development Management Conference, virtual / Milano, Italy (2021)
  • A Future for Business Schools Fixson, S. Production and Operations Management Society (POMS), Annual Meeting, virtual (2021)
  • Why we are all Innovators now Fixson, S. TEDx Babson, Virtual (2021)
  • Using open access tools for digital design Fixson, S. Academy of Management Annual Meeting , Virtual (2020)
  • How Digital Tools are radically changing innovation work, and the consequences for workers and for education Fixson, S. Annual Meeting, Industry Studies Association, Cambridge, MA (virtual) (2020)
  • Making Design Thinking Work Fixson, S. Boulet, D. Ben Mahmoud-Jouini, S. Annual Meeting, Innovation Research Interchange, virtual (2020)
  • How the Evolution of Digital Tools changes Design Work in New Product Development Fixson, S. PDMA JPIM Research Forum, Orlando, FL (2019)
  • The Riddle of Design Thinking Fixson, S. DTX 8, London, UK (2019)
  • Design Thinking Implementation in a Technology-Driven Firm Fixson, S. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Boston, MA (2019)
  • The Changing Nature of Digital Tools and Design Work Marion, T. Fixson, S. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Boston, MA (2019)
  • What are we missing? Researching Design Thinking Implementation in Real Organizations Fixson, S. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Boston, MA (2019)
  • The Digital Technology Arc – Where we’ve come from and where we’re going Brown, G. Fixson, S. Marion, T. LiveWorx 2019, Boston, MA (2019)
  • How Digital Design and a Collaborative Culture Are Re-shaping the Innovation Landscape – and How to Navigate this New World Fixson, S. R&D Management Conference, Paris, France (2019)
  • From Fly Fishing to Dragnets: How Digital Design Tools Are Changing Innovation Work Fixson, S. Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2019)
  • The Innovation Navigator Fixson, S. Marion, T. Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Kuwait City (2018)
  • The Ethical Dimension in Design Fixson, S. DTX 6 Meeting, Rochester, MN (2018)
  • Design Thinking as Process Fixson, S. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL (2018)
  • Innovating How We Teach Innovation: Simulations, Collaboration Labs, and Online Education Seidel, V. Fixson, S. Marion, T. Academy of Management Meeting, Chicago (2018)
  • Researching Design Thinking: Linking Theory and Practice across Disciplines Fixson, S. Carlgren, L. Liedtka, J. Zuber, C. Academy of Managment Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL (2018)
  • Untangling the Role of User Experience in Design Thinking through Experimental Evidence Fixson, S. R&D Management Conference, Milan, Italy (2018)
  • "I did it my way" - The adoption of design thinking by a technology-driven firm Ben Mahmoud-Jouini, S. Fixson, S. 25th International Product Development Management Conference, Porto, Portugal (2018)
  • The Influence of Collaborative IT on NPD Marion, T. Fixson, S. 25th International Product Development Management Conference, Porto, Portugal (2018)
  • How to make design tools work? Taking a closer look at the mechanisms in the needsfinding phase when generating new product concepts Meinel, M. Fixson, S. 25th International Product Development Managment Conference, Porto, Portugal (2018)
  • The Innovation Navigator Fixson, S. Marion, T. Rotman Lifelong Learning Event, Toronto, CA (2018)
  • Entrepreneurship education at an US Business School Fixson, S. Industrial Design Engineering Seminar, Delft, The Netherlands (2017)
  • Innovation Center Archetypes Fixson, S. DTX 5 Meeting, Toronto, CA (2017)
  • The Impact of Design Thinking on Creative Idea Generation Eismann, T. Meinel, M. Fixson, S. Continuous Innovation Network, Annual Meeting, Potsdam, Germany (2017)
  • Convergence of Physical and Digital Innovation Processes Fixson, S. Bailey, J. Seidel, V. Mancha, R. Iyer, B. Production and Operations Management Society (POMS), Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA (2017)
  • Innovating Innovation - A process-perspective of Open Innovation Fixson, S. Research Chat, Babson College (2016)
  • Innovating How We Teach Innovation Seidel, V. Fixson, S. Marion, T. 2016 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Anaheim, California (2016)
  • LEAP – a multi-disciplinary project-based course in Babson’s new MSEL program Fixson, S. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA (2016)
  • Overwhelmed by Open Innovation: How Social Product Development Company Quirky went Bankrupt Fixson, S. Marion, T. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA (2016)
  • Innovating how we teach innovation: Innovation and entrepreneurship - courses, resources, and incubators Yamakawa, Y. Fixson, S. Tosti-Kharas, J. Academy of Management Conference, Anaheim (2016)
  • When Innovation Stumbles: Limits to Open Innovation? Fixson, S. Open and User Innovation Conference, Boston, MA (2016)
  • Strategies to expand the scope of your innovation engine Marion, T. Fixson, S. 23rd International Product Development Management Conference, Glasgow, Scotland (2016)
  • When innovation stumbles - limits to open innovation? Fixson, S. Marion, T. 23rd International Product Development Management Conference, Glasgow, Scotland (2016)
  • The use of design spaces in innovation education Fixson, S. European Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Paris, France (2016)
  • LEAP - and the net will appear Fixson, S. Production and Operations Management Society (POMS), Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)
  • Higher Education in Business Schools - Quo Vadis? Fixson, S. ISPIM Innovation Forum, Boston, MA (2016)
  • Limits to Open Innovation Fixson, S. Vlerick Research Seminar, Leuven, Belgium (2016)
  • How much better is open innovation? Fixson, S. INFORMS Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA (2015)
  • Creating Space for Innovation: The Babson Design Zone 125 Fixson, S. Seidel, V. Bailey, J. Academy of Management Annual Meeting`, Vancouver, BC (2015)
  • Does an Open Innovation Process Influence NPD Effectiveness? Fixson, S. Marion, T. 22nd International Product Development Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark (2015)
  • Innovate to learn and learning to innovate: Role of an innovation contest to build innovate capacity Fixson, S. 22nd International Product Development Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark (2015)
  • Creating Space for Innovation Fixson, S. Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2015)
  • Creating Space for Innovation: The Role of a Design Zone within a Business School Fixson, S. 2nd Annual Business Education Innovation Conference, Providence, RI (2015)
  • Innovating how we teach innovation: experiments with new forms of courses and curricula Fixson, S. Marion, T. Seidel, V. 2014 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Phialdelphia, PA (2014)
  • Educational Scholarship: The Educator’s Perspective Fixson, S. Faculty Learn & Share, Wellesley, MA (2014)
  • Design Thinking Fixson, S. Invited Panelists, "Design & Thinking" Film & Panel Discussion in Partnership with the Design Management Institute, Arlington, MA (2014)
  • Learning to innovate: A longitudinal analysis of idea competitions inside a large company Fixson, S. POM 2014 - Twenty Fifth Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA (2014)
  • The Future of New Product Development Fixson, S. 3rd Annual IP/Innovation Connection - Challenges in Collaborative Innovation, Boston, MA (2013)
  • The Future of New Product Development Fixson, S. Marion, T. INFORMS Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN (2013)
  • Teaching Innovation: An Evaluation of Pedagogical Approaches Fixson, S. Marion, T. Seidel, V. 20th International Product Development Management Conference, Paris, France (2013)
  • The Perfect Storm: How the Convergence of Digital Design, Rapid Prototyping, and Culture is changing Product Development Fixson, S. Marion, T. 20th International Product Development Management Conference, Paris, France (2013)
  • A new Era of New Product Development Fixson, S. Global Innovation Networks Conference, Boston, MA (2013)
  • How Digital Design, Rapid Prototyping, and a Sharing Culture are Changing New Product Development Fixson, S. Marion, T. Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2013)
  • Innovating Teaching (of) Innovation Fixson, S. Marion, T. Seidel, V. Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2013)
  • Architectural Knowledge and Industry Competition Fixson, S. Academy of Management Conference, Boston, MA (2012)
  • Orchestrating Complex Product Development: Reducing Rework Fixson, S. Academy of Management Conference, Boston, MA (2012)
  • How Can Modular Firms develop integrated products Fixson, S. Seminaire Management de Innovation, Paris, France (2012)
  • Orchestrating Innovation: Reducing Downside effects of architectural mismatches in complex product development Fixson, S. POMS Conference, Chicago, IL (2012)
  • Teaching Innovation through Product Design and Development Courses Fixson, S. Production and Operations Management Society, Chicago, IL (2012)
  • Shifting Grounds: how industry emergence changes the effectiveness of knowledge creation strategies Fixson, S. Babson Faculty Research Chat, (2012)
  • An example for Teaching Cognitive ambidexterity at Babson: The Undergraduate Course 'Product Design and Development in interdisciplinary Teams' Fixson, S. Decision Sciences Institute Conference, Boston, MA (2011)
  • Architectural Mismatches in Complex Product Development: Problems and Counterstrategies Fixson, S. Dawson, B. Whitney, D. Decision Sciences Institute Conference, Boston, MA (2011)
  • Strategies to mitigate negative effects of architectural mismatches in complex product development Fixson, S. Dawson, B. Whitney, D. INFORMS Conference, Charlotte, NC (2011)
  • Applying "Design Thinking in Novice Multidisciplinary Teams": The Role of Reflexivity Fixson, S. Seidel, V. 18th International Product Development Management Conference, Delft, The Netherlands (2011)
  • Modularity moderating between Governance and Competence Perspectives: The Effect of Knowledge Interdependence on Firms' R&D Scope Decisions Fixson, S. Lee, W. 2011 DRUID Conference on Innovation, Strategy, and Structure: Organizations, Institutions, Systems and Regions, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark (2011)
  • Benefits and Limits in Adoption of "Design Thinking" by Novice Multidisciplinary Teams Fixson, S. Seidel, V. POMS Conference, Reno, NV (2011)
  • Studying Innovation Processes: Effects of Knowledge creation strategies and design tool usage Fixson, S. Joint Automotive Research Conference (IMVP) (MMRC), Tokyo, Japan (2011)
  • Innovation bby Newbies- What happens when novices learn "Design Thinking"? Fixson, S. TOIM Brown Bag Seminar, Babson College, Babson Park, MA (2011)
  • Backloading: A Potential Side Effect of the Use of Digital Design Tools in New Product Development Fixson, S. Babson Faculty Research Chat, Babson College, Babson Park, MA (2011)
  • Backloading the Frontend Fixson, S. Marion, T. INFORMS Conference, Austin, TX (2010)
  • Backloading: Unintended Consequemces of Digital Design Tools in New Product Development Fixson, S. Marion, T. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Montreal, QB (2010)
  • When are deisgn practices useful and when are they detrimental? Lessons from multidisciplinary design teams at Stanford and Babson Fixson, S. Seidel, V. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Montreal, QB (2010)
  • UNintended Consequence of Front-loading in New Product Development: Shortcutting Concept Development Fixson, S. Marion, T. POMS Conference, Vancouver, BC (2010)
  • Design Thinking- Panacea for Innovation? Fixson, S. 2nd Boston Corporate Innovation Forum, Swissnex Boston (2010)
  • Product design and devlopment- an interdisciplinary collaboration between a business school, and engineering school, and a design school Fixson, S. National Science Foundation Workshop, driving Innovation Through design: Engineering in the 21st century, Evanston, IL (2010)
  • Designing and Delivering Cross-School Courses: Opportunities and Challenges in Teaching Courses involving Faculty and Students from Multiple Schools Fixson, S. OBTC: Teaching Conference for Management Educators, Wellesley, MA (2008)
  • Beyond Transaction Efficiency: The Effect of Knowledge Interdependence on Firms’ R&D Scope Decisions Fixson, S. Lee, W. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA (2008)
  • Teaching Innovation via Product Design and Development (PDD) Courses: An Analysis of Sixteen PDD Courses at leading U.S. Schools Fixson, S. Babson Faculty Research Chat, Babson Park, MA (2008)
  • Product Development Teaching in the U.S. – A Status Report Fixson, S. INFORMS Annual Meeting, Washington D.C. (2008)
  • Beyond Transaction Efficiency: The Effect of Knowledge Interdependence on Firms’ R&D Scope Decisions Fixson, S. Lee, W. International Product Development Management Conference, Hamburg, Germany (2008)
  • Product Development Teaching in the U.S. – A Status Report Fixson, S. International Product Development Management Conference, Hamburg, Germany (2008)
  • The Power of Integrality: Linkages between Product Architecture, Innovation, and Industry Structure Fixson, S. Park, J. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA (2007)
  • Beyond Transaction Efficiency: The Effect of Knowledge Interdependence on Firms’ R&D Scope Decisions Fixson, S. Lee, W. INFORMS Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA (2007)
  • Coping with Technological Uncertainty: The moderating Role of Knowledge Interdependence on Firms’ R&D Scope Decisions. Fixson, S. Lee, W. INFORMS Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA (2007)
  • What slows Rework down: Causes for low Problem-Solving Efficiency in Complex Product Development Fixson, S. Gouel, P. Rotterdam School of Management, Undisclosed (2007)
  • What slows Rework down: Causes for low Problem-Solving Efficiency in Complex Product Development Fixson, S. Gouel, P. Segal Graduate School of Business, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC (2007)
  • The Power of Integrality: Linkages between Product Architecture, Innovation, and Industry Structure Fixson, S. Park, J. Sloan Industry Studies Annual Meeting, Cambridge, MA (2007)
  • A Test of Schilling’s Interfirm Product Modularity Model: The Bicycle Drivetrain Industry 1980-1990 Fixson, S. Park, J. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA (2006)
  • When the Rules of the Game change: The Dynamic Role of Knowledge Relatedness at Industry Birth Fixson, S. Lee, W. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA (2006)
  • What slows Rework down: Causes for low Problem-Solving Efficiency in Complex Product Development Fixson, S. Gouel, P. Automotive Mini-Conference, Cambridge, MA (2006)
  • When the Rules of the Game change: The Dynamic Role of Knowledge Relatedness at Industry Birth Fixson, S. Lee, W. Engineering Systems Division, MIT, Cambridge, MA (2006)
  • The Power of Integrality: Linkages between Product Architecture, Innovation, and Industry Structure Fixson, S. Park, J. Harvard Business School Strategy Research Conference, Boston, MA (2006)
  • What slows Rework down: Causes for low Problem-Solving Efficiency in Complex Product Development Fixson, S. Gouel, P. International Product Development Management Conference, Milan, Italy (2006)
  • What slows Rework down: Causes for low Problem-Solving Efficiency in Complex Product Development Fixson, S. Gouel, P. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Boston, MA (2006)
  • What slows Rework down: Causes for low Problem-Solving Efficiency in Complex Product Development Fixson, S. Gouel, P. Operations Management Seminar, Cambridge, MA (2006)
  • When the Rules of the Game change: The Dynamic Role of Knowledge Relatedness at Industry Birth Fixson, S. Lee, W. Wharton Technology Miniconference, Philadelphia, PA (2006)
  • The Power of Integrality: Linkages between Product Architecture, Innovation, and Industry Structure Fixson, S. Park, J. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Honolulu, HI (2005)
  • The Power of Integrality: Linkages between Product Architecture, Innovation, and Industry Structure Fixson, S. Park, J. INFORMS Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2005)
  • Modularity and Outsourcing: A Study of Generational Sequences in the U.S. Automotive Cockpit Industry Fixson, S. Ro, Y. Liker, J. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2004)
  • Assessing Product Architecture Costing: Product Life Cycles, Allocation Rules, and Cost Models Fixson, S. ASME Design Engineering Technical Conferences, Salt Lake City, UT (2004)
  • On the Link between Modularity and Cost – Product Architecture and Cost Assessment Fixson, S. Clark, J. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA (2003)
  • Better than ‘Modularity:’ Product Architecture – A Concept to Analyze Cost Implications of Early Design Decisions Fixson, S. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsb., PA (2003)
  • Modularity and Outsourcing: A Study of Generational Sequences in the U.S. Automotive Cockpit Industry Fixson, S. Ro, Y. Liker, J. INFORMS Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA (2003)
  • Measuring product modularity's individual dimensions – and examples of their cost impact Fixson, S. Professional Development Workshop 'Initiating Research Cross-Overs: One Topic (Modularity) – Multiple Research Perspectives', Seattle, WA (2003)
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Additional Links

Professional Memberships

  • Design Research Society (2021 - Present)
  • Verband Deutscher Hochschullehrer für Betriebswirtschaft (Association of German University Professors in Management) (2012 - Present)
  • Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) (2006 - Present)
  • Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) (2002 - Present)
  • Academy of Management (2001 - Present)
  • Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS) (2001 - Present)
  • Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (German Society of Engineers) (1994 - Present)

Department & College Wide Services

  • Workshop for Babson Entrepreneurship Forum (2016 - 2016)