Innovation Navigator

Tucker J. Marion is an associate professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at Northeastern University.Sebastian Fixson is the founding faculty director of Babson’s DBA program and a professor of Innovation and Design at Babson College.

“The Innovation Navigator is a well-researched, thought-provoking guide for how to rethink innovation in the age of AI. The combination of compelling cases and practical tools makes the book both digestible and actionable. Highly recommended.” - Scott D. Anthony, Clinical Professor, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, and author of Epic Disruptions “We are at a profound inflection point, where technology is rewriting the rules of competition and we must rethink how we work and innovate. The Innovation Navigator offers more than frameworks. It is a comprehensive guide to reimagining the innovation function in an era shaped by AI and accelerating change. Marion and Fixson bring strategic clarity and digital fluency while honoring the human side of transformation. For those of us helping organizations shape what’s next, this expanded edition is a timely, grounded guide and a call to reimagine what is possible.” - Kristen Colella, Managing Director, Innosight and Huron Digital “The Innovation Navigator makes one thing clear: AI isn’t here to replace innovators – it’s here to amplify them. This book shows leaders how to harness AI to empower teams, accelerate innovation, and rethink what’s possible.” - Steven Eppinger, Professor of Management Science and Innovation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology “The Innovation Navigator is a wake-up call for organizations stuck in old ways of thinking. Marion and Fixson show how AI can turn innovation from a buzzword into a repeatable capability. As someone who has spent decades building communities of makers, engineers, and brands, I found its insights refreshingly practical and deeply relevant for creating the next wave of digital pioneers.” - Suchit Jain, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, Dassault Systèmes “With The Innovation Navigator, Marion and Fixson chart a bold course through the innovation landscape shaped by generative AI, hybrid work, and collaborative intelligence. Essential reading for anyone tasked with leading innovation under uncertainty.” - Frank T. Piller, Professor of Technology Management, RWTH Aachen University “Too often, the focus is on leveraging the latest AI tools. This book wisely shifts attention to how organizations structure themselves to engage with AI across different modes of innovation. Marion and Fixson offer a clear and valuable guide for leaders who want to shape – not chase – technology to drive meaningful, lasting innovation.” - Francisco Veloso, Dean, INSEAD

• ForewordPrologue1. The Calm Waters of the Past: Managing Innovation in Organizations in the 20th Century2. Technological and Social Change Create the “Perfect Storm” for Innovation3. AI: Innovation’s Supercharger4. The Four Modes of Innovation in the AI Era5. The Specialist Mode6. The Venture Mode7. The Community Mode8. The Network Mode9. The Multimodal Organization10. Rethinking KPIs in the Age of AI11. Implementation, Trust, and Skill Development in the Age of AI12. Concluding Thoughts and Shanties