Thomas Sebastian LAGER                                                                                         

Born 1945

PRESENT OCCUPATION:

2018 – Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and principal consultant of blinab (B&L Innovation AB). Boutique Management Consultant Company in the area of “Management of Innovation & Technology in the Process Industries”; Solgården, Maltesholm, Sweden

2024 September Affiliated Professor in Innovation Management at Blekinge Institute of Technology (Department of Industrial Economics), Karlskrona, Sweden

PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS:

2018 – 2024 May Affiliated Professor at Mälardalen University (School of Innovation, Design and Engineering; Campus Eskilstuna), Sweden

2024 April Visiting Professor at Tokyo University and Kobe University in Japan

2014 – 2017 Professor andChair in Innovation Management at University Mohammed VI Polytechnique; Ben Guerir, Morocco

2010 – 2017 President of blinab (France). Boutique Management Consultant Company in the area of “Management of Innovation & Technology in the Process Industries”; Grenoble, France

Winter 2013
Visiting Professor at the Department of Management, Monash University; Melbourne, Australia

Winter 2012
Visiting Professor at the Department of Management, Monash University; Melbourne, Australia

2009 – 2014
Affiliated Professor at the Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship; Grenoble Ecole de Management; Grenoble; France

1989 – 2009
President of B&L Innovation AB in Sweden. Management Consultants in the area of Management of Innovation & Technology; Stockholm, Sweden

2008
Visiting Professor at Grenoble Ecole de Management; Grenoble, France

2002 – 2007
Founder, Adjunct Professor and Director of the “Centre for Management of Innovation and Technology in Process Industry” (Promote). Luleå University of Technology; Department of Business Administration & Social Sciences; Division of Industrial Organization, Sweden

Spring 2000
Guest researcher at Toyohashi University of Technology; Japan

1997 – 2001
Part time researcher and PhD student at Luleå University of Technology (Sweden). Division of Industrial Organization.

1987 – 1989
Västerbotten Regional Development Fund in Umeå (Sweden). Business and product development consultant to SME:s and Private Innovators

Spring 1987
Guest researcher at Changsha University of Science and Technology; China

1984 – 1989
Part time researcher and PhD student at Luleå University of Technology (Sweden). Department of Mineral Processing.

1981 – 1987
Boliden Mineral AB (Sweden). Superintendent, product and process development

1979 – 1980
National Industry Board & State Mining Property Commission (Sweden) Section Head

1975 – 1979
Gränges International (Sweden and Liberia). Process Consultant, plant engineer and start-up leader for a new production plant in Buchanan, Liberia

1973 – 1975
Boliden Mineral AB (Sweden). Plant engineer at the Kristineberg Concentrator

1971 – 1973
Boliden Mineral AB (Sweden). Research engineer and Process engineer at the pilot plant

DEGREES:

PhD in Business Administration & Economics Awarded by Luleå University of Technology in 2002

PhD in Mineral Processing Awarded by Luleå University of Technology in 1989

Master of Science in Mining Engineering Awarded by Royal Institute of Technology; KTH (Polytechnique Royal) in Stockholm in 1971

MEMBERSHIPS

Member of the Editorial Review Board for International Journal of Innovation Management

Member of the R&D Management journal Editorial Advisory Board

Member of the Editorial Board for Journal of Business Chemistry

Member of the Editorial Board for International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development

GUEST EDITORSHIPS

Guest Editor for Environmental, Technology & Innovation (on-going)

Guest Editors: Thomas Lager, Andreas Feldman (KTH), Cali Nuur (KTH), Jens Leker (Muenster University) Special issue on: Management of industrial symbiosis and convergence in a process-industrial context; Manuscript submission deadline 2024, May 30.

Guest Editor for Technovation (closed)

Guest Editors: Thomas Lager & Jessica Bruch

Special Issue: Innovation and Production Management in the Process Industries. Technovation, Vol. 105, 2021

Guest Editor for Journal of Business Chemistry (JoBC) (closed)

Guest Editors: Thomas Lager & Koteshwar Chirumalla

Special Issue: Innovation and Production Management in the Process Industries, Journal of Business Chemistry, Vol. 17, Iss.3, 2020

Guest Editor for Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management (closed)

Guest Editors: Thomas Lager & Jean-Philippe Rennard

Special Issue: Managing the manufacturing – R&D interface; Vol. 25; No. 2, 2014

Guest Editor for R&D Management journal (closed)

Guest Editors: Thomas Lager & Sylvie Blanco

Special Issue: Managing R&D, Technology and Innovation in the Process Industries; Vol. 43; No. 3; June 2013

AD HOC REFEREE FOR

  • R&D Management
  • Research Policy
  • Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
  • International Journal of Innovation Management
  • Journal of Business Chemistry
  • Journal of Engineering and Technology Management (Jet-M)
  • Innovation and Development

Publications and presentations by Thomas Lager in the area of Management of Innovation & Technology in the Process Industries

2024

Lager, T, Managing product innovation in the process industries: From customer understanding to product launch – uncover the intrinsic nature of developing non-assembled products. World Scientific Publishing Company, Singapore, May 2024

2023

Lager, T. and Liiri, E., From conceptualization to industrialization – uncovering the intrinsic nature of product development of non-assembled products. International Journal of Innovation Management, 2023, Vol.27, Nos. 3&4,

Chirumalla, K., Lager, T., and Ankerfors, M., Exploring sustainability integration and expected outcomes of a digitalized product innovation work process for non-assembled products. Journal of Business Chemistry, 2023, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp.87-111.

Lager, T. and Don Simms, C., From customer understanding to design for processability: Reconceptualizing the formal product innovation work process for non-assembled products. Technovation, 2023, 

Lager, T., Don Simms, C, and Frishammar, J., Managing Ideation and Concept Integration in the Product Innovation Work Process for Non-Assembled Products. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 2023, Vol.20, No.3

Lager, T., and Fundin , A., Innovation methodologies and Design-Thinking as supporting instruments in the development of non-assembled productsJournal of Business Chemistry, Vol. 20 Iss.1, February 2023, pp. 9-30 

Lager, T., and Storm, P., From product supplier to solution provider – integrating a service perspective in the product innovation work process for non-assembled products. International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking. 2023, Vol.15, No.4, pp. 479-506

2022

Lager, T. and Fundin, A., Deployment of Innovation Methodologies as Supporting Instruments for the Product Innovation Process in the Process Industries. International Journal of Innovation Management, 2022, Vol. 26, No. 7

2021

Lager, T. and Bruch, J., Innovation and production management in the process industries – In search of a conjoint approach. Technovation Editorial special issue, 2021, 105, pp. 1-4

Lager, T. and Hassan-Beck, H., Managing Inter-firm Process Technology Transfer: Sucess Factors and Organizational Perspectives.International Journal of Innovation Management, Vol 25, No 02 (February, 2021)

2020

Lager, T. and Simms, C., In search of a product innovation work process for non-assembled products. International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2020, Vol. 12, No. 3

Lager, T. and Hassan-Beck, H., Managing Inter-firm Process Technology Transfer: Sucess Factors and Organizational Perspectives. International Journal of Innovation Management, 2021, Vol.25, No. 2 (41 pages)

Lager, T. and Chirumalla, K., Innovation and production management in the process industries – An extended editorial viewpoint and a way forward for future research. Journal of Business Chemistry, 2020, Vol. 17, Iss. 3, pp. 1-16. https://blinab.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Extended-Editorial.pdf

Hassan-Beck, H. and Lager, T., Sucess Factors for intra-firm process technology transfer and a petrochemical outlook. Journal of Business Chemistry, October 2020, Vol.17, Iss.3, pp 59-80. https://blinab.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Technology-transfer.pdf

2019

Lager, T., Contemporary Quality Function Deployment for Product and Process Innovation: Towards Digital Transformation of Customer and Product Information in a New Knowledge-Based Approach. World Scientific Publishing Company, 2019

Samuelsson, P and Lager T. Managing product variety under operational constraints: A process-industrial outlook. Journal of Business Chemistry, 2019, Vol.16, Iss.2, pp 134-147 

 2018

Lager, T., and Samuelsson, P. Managing product variety under operational constraints: a process-industrial outlookPresented at the ISPIM Innovation Conference, Stockholm, Sweden on 17-20 June 2018.

2017

Lager, T. A conceptual framework for platform-based design of non-assembled productsTechnovation, 201768, pp. 20-34.

Lager, T. A conceptual analysis of contextual and inherent conditions for innovation in the process industriesInternational Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2017, Vol. 9, Iss. 3.

Lager, T. A Reassessment of the QFD Product Development Methodology from the Perspective of Knowledge Creation and Utilization. International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies, 2017, Vol. 8; Nos. 3/4.

Lager, T., Samuelsson, P., and Storm, P.  Modelling Company Generic Production Capabilities in Process Industries: A Configuration Approach. International Journal of Production and Operations Management, 2017, Vol. 37, Iss 2, pp. 126 – 161.

2016

Tottie, M., Lager, T. and Nordqvist, S., From customer understanding to product understanding: collaboration with industrial lead-users in a B2B contextJournal of Business Chemistry, 2016, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp.64 – 79 

 Lager, T. Managing Innovation & Technology in the Process Industries: Current practices and future perspectives. Procedia Engineering, 2016, Vol. 138, pp. 459 – 471 

Samuelsson, P. Storm, P. and Lager, T. , Profiling company-generic production capabilities in the process industries and strategic implications, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 2016, Vol. 27, No. 5, pp. 663 – 691

2015

Storm, P. and Lager, T. Application development: a strategic Corporate innovation activity in the process industries. International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, Spring 2015, Issue 2, Vol 10

Lager, T., Tano, K. and Anastasijevic, N. Open Innovation and Open Production: The case of a technology supplier/user collaboration in the process industries. International Journal of Innovation Management, 2015, Vol. 19, No 2, April

Lager, T. Managing Innovation & Technology in the Process Industries: Current practices and future perspectives. Plenary presentation at the “SYMPHOS”, 3rd International Symposium on Innovation and Technology in the Phosphate Industry, May 2015

Tottie, M. , Lager, T. and Nordqvist, S. , From customer understanding to product understanding: collaboration with industrial lead-users in a B2B context, Presentation at the R&D Management Conference, June 2015, Pisa, Italy

Gamal, R. and Lager, T. Bridging the R&D Management interface: the case of packaging innovation at Nestlé, Presentation at the 22nd EurOMA Conference (European Operations Management Association), July 2015, Neuchatel, Switzerland.

2014

Lager, T. and Storm, P Application Development in the Process Industries. Journal of Business Chemistry, Vol. 11, Issue. 3, 2014 

Lager, T. and Rennard, J-P. Guest Editor for Special Issue Vol. 25, No. 2, 2014 Managing the manufacturing – R&D interface: an extended editorial viewpoint. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 25, No 2, 2014

2013

Lager, T., Blanco, S., and Frishammar, J. Guest Editor for Special Issue Vol. 43, No. 3, 2013 Editorial: Managing R&D and Innovation in the Process Industries, R&D Management, Vol. 43, No. 3, 2013

Lager, T. and Storm, P. Application development in process firms: adding value to customer products and production systems, R&D Management, Vol. 43, No, 3, 2013

Storm, P.,Lager, T. and Samuelsson, P. Managing the Manufacturing – R&D interface in the process industries, R&D Management, Vol. 43, No. 3, 2013

2012

Lager, T. and Frishammar, J. Collaborative development of new process technology/Equipment in the process industries: in search of enhanced innovation performance, Journal of Business Chemistry, 9, 3-19, 2012 

 Lager, T. and Storm, P. Application development in supplier-customer collaborations: success factors for firms in the process industries, International Journal of Technology Marketing, 7, 2012

Lager, T. Startup of new plants and process technology in the process industries: organizing for an extreme event. Journal of Business Chemistry. 9, 3-18, 2012 

2011

Bergfors, M. and Lager, T. Innovation of process technology: Exploring determinants for organizational design. International Journal of Innovation Management. April Vol. 15, Issue No. 2, 2011.

2010

Lager, T. Book in the series on Technology ManagementManaging Process Innovation: From Idea Generation to Implementation. Series on Technology Management – Vol. 17, Imperial College Press, London

Lager, T. and Frishammar, J. Equipment Supplier/User Collaboration in the Process Industries: In Search of Enhanced Operating Performance. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management. Vol 21, Number 6, 2010 (Selected for third best paper award by JMTM)

Lager, T. and Blanco, S. The Commodity Battle: a product-market perspective on innovation resource allocation in the Process Industries. International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning. Vol. 6, No. 2, 2010 

Storm, P., Lager, T. and Samuelsson, P. A material conversion perspective on firm innovation in the Process Industries: the production system revisited. Presentation at the R&D Management conference, Manchester, July, 2010

Lager, T. and Beesley, N. Start up of new process technology in the Process Industries: organizing for an extreme event. 2nd iNTeg-Risk Conference: New Technologies & Emerging Risks. Stuttgart, June, 2010

Lager, T., Hallberg, D. and Eriksson, P. Developing a Process Innovation Work Process: The LKAB experience. International Journal of Innovation Management. Vol 14, Number 2, 2010.

2009

Lager, T and Frishammar, J. Collaborative development of new process technology/equipment in the Process Industries: In search of enhanced innovation performance. Presentation at the R&D Management conference. Vienna, 2009

2008

Lager, T. Using Multiple Progression QFD for Roadmapping Product and Process Related R&D in the Process Industries. Presentation at the14th International Symposium on Quality Function Deployment. Beijing. China, 2008

2007

Lager,T. and Kjell, Å. Multiple Progression QFD: A case study of cooking product functionality at Arla Foods. Presentation at the 13th International & 19th North American Symposium on Quality Function Deployment; Williamsburg; September 5-14.

2005

Lager,T. and Hörte, S-Å Success Factors for the development of process technology in process industry Part 1: a classification system for success factors and a rating of success factors on a tactical level. Int. J. Process Management and Benchmarking Vol.1, No 1, 2005 (Inaugural Issue) 

 Lager,T. and Hörte, S-Å Success Factors for the development of process technology in process industry Part 2: a ranking of success factors on an operational level and a dynamic model for company implementation,  Int. J. Process Management and Benchmarking Vol. 1, No 1, 2005 (Inaugural Issue) 

Lager, T. Multiple Progression – A proposed new system for the application of Quality Function Deployment in Process Industry,  International Journal of Innovation Management, Vol.9, No 3, September 2005

Lager, T. The Industrial Usability of Quality Function Deployment – A literature review and syntheses on a meta level.  R&D Management, 35, 4, May 2005

2002

Lager, T. A structural analysis of process development in process industry – A new classification system for strategic project selection and portfolio balancing,  R&D Management, 32, 1, 2002 

 Lager, T. Product and process development intensity in process industry International Journal of Innovation Management Vol. 6, No 2, June 2002 

Lager, T. and Hörte, S-Å Success factors for improvement and innovation of process technology in process industry Integrated Manufacturing Systems, Vol. 13, No. 3, 2002

2000

Lager, T. A new conceptual model for the development of process technology in process industry International Journal of Innovation Management. Vol. 4, No 3, September 2000 

1998

Lager,T. Management of Technology in Process Industry (in Swedish) Bergsmannen (Jernkontorets Annaler) No 6, 1998

1995

Lager,T. Development and Management of Large R&D Projects under the European Union Framework Programme.  Proceedings from the Nordic Conference on Mineral Processing Technology, Luleå, 1995

Tottie, M and Lager,T. QFD – Linking the customer to the product development process as a part of the TQM concept.  R&D Management, vol 25, No 3, 1995

1992

Lager,T. and Lemar, B. Managing Product Development Projects in Small and Medium Sized Companies Presentation at the 11th International Congress on Project Management, Florence, Italy, 1992

Publications and conference presentations by Thomas Lager in the area of Mineral Processing Technology

1990

Lager, T. Mineral Processing 2000 – A pilot Study of Future Process Technology and Production Systems in the Swedish Mineral Industry.  Proceedings from the Nordic Mineral Processing Congress, Luleå 1990

Granberg, I., Lager, T. and Forssberg, K.S.E. Equilibrium model with reference to stibnite flotation. Transactions of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Section C. C62-66.

Lager, T. & Forssberg, K.S.E. Separation of antimony mineral impurities from complex sulphide ores. Transactions of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy. SectionC. C54-61.

1989

Lager, T. and Forssberg, K.S.E. A study of some antimony mineral’s flotation properties in different process environments. Scandinavian Journal of Metallurgy, 18, 251-257.

Lager, T. and Forssberg, K.S.E. Beneficiation characteristics of antimony minerals, a review – Part 1. Minerals Engineering, 2, 321-336.

Lager, T. and Forssberg, K.S.E. Current processing tecgnology for antimony-bearing ores, a review – Part 2. Minerals Engineering, 2, 543-556.

Lager, T. and Forssberg, K.S.E. Comparative study of flotation properties of jamesonite and stibnite. Scandinavian Journal of Metallurgy, 18, 122-130

1985

Lager, T. The Rakkejaur Deposit – a challenge to flotation process technology. In Forssberg, K.S.E. (ED.) Developments in MIneral processing. Elsevier