Compared to many other international jurisdictions, women are strongly underrepresented in innovation processes in Germany. Recent studies state that this situation is a challenge to strengthening innovation and poses a real competitive disadvantage.

So what are the factors that encourage industry clusters, firms and research institutions to build on the potential of women in their research and development activities? What institutional frameworks need to be in place to attract women to work in R&D?

The goal of the project is to identify those success factors that are instrumental in making best use of the innovative potential within a society. The project will be based on review of data, case studies, identification of best practices and practical processes. As part of the methodology, existing frameworks for R&D in selected publicly listed companies and small- to mid-size companies will be systematically analysed. Additionally, the communication strategies used by companies in their publicly accessible material, e.g. on websites, related to R&D, will be included in these analyses. Using patent registrations and bibliometrical data, women in selected research fields that stand out by a higher than average publication rate and patent filings will be identified. The research team will individually approach these innovative women to inquire about the specifics of their working environment and assess conditions that are the drivers of innovation. These indicators will be applied to practical processes and projects that will be piloted at the Fraunhofer Society. The above project steps are intended to determine best measures for favourable working, organizational and decision-making structures.