International award for research on selecting internal innovation projects

International recognition

At the 2025 R&D Management Conference, the Best Paper Award was presented to “Evaluating internal corporate venture ideas: strategic relatedness, feasibility and novelty”, co-authored by Dr. Mert Merde, a graduate of the Rennes School of Business PhD programme, and the professors Dirk Schneckenberg and Dr. Hamid Mazloomi from Rennes SB.

The conference organizers highlighted “the diversity and quality of articles and presentations” and noted a record number of special issues in preparation, reflecting the highly competitive nature of this year’s edition. This award underlines the academic value and managerial relevance of their contribution.

A framework for evaluating corporate venture projects

The paper introduces a structured model designed to help companies select and prioritise internal innovation projects. It focuses on three key criteria:

• Strategic alignment with the company’s resources and objectives.
• Feasibility in terms of resources and implementation capacity.
• Novelty and differentiating potential in the marketplace.

This approach provides organisations with a robust decision-making tool to strengthen their innovation processes and strategic development.

Showcasing Rennes SB’s research impact

The R&D Management Conference is one of the world’s most respected forums on innovation management and technological development. Awarding this prize to two Rennes SB professors and a PhD graduate demonstrates the international visibility and scientific impact of the school’s research.

This recognition reflects Rennes School of Business’s commitment to conducting rigorous, practice-relevant research that addresses today’s strategic challenges and supports innovation and organisational transformation.