How can promising future technologies be identified at a very early stage – and how does their relevance manifest in practice? This question is addressed in a recent publication by Marie Scheuffele, Niels Fetkenheuer, and Prof. Dr. Leo Brecht from the Liechtenstein Business School, published in the renowned International Journal of Innovation Management.

The study, titled “Introducing a Data-Driven Approach for Validating the Practical Relevance of Emerging Innovation Fields – Trend Insights on Technologies and Twin Transformation”, presents a data-based method for systematically analyzing early innovation fields. It combines two key data sources: academic literature and job postings from innovative companies. This comparison enables the researchers to bridge the gap between research and practice, providing early insights into important technology trends.

One key finding: Sustainability and digitalization are two of the three most important innovation fields in the coming years. The so-called “twin transformation” – the integration of ecological and digital development – is becoming increasingly relevant for companies.

The study was published in the prestigious Twin Transformation special issue of the International Journal of Innovation Management, which is recognized as a high-quality academic publication in the German-speaking world (VHB rating: B in Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship).

Scheuffele, M., Fetkenheuer, N., & Brecht, L. (2025). INTRODUCING A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH FOR VALIDATING THE PRACTICAL RELEVANCE OF EMERGING INNOVATION FIELDS - TREND INSIGHTS ON TECHNOLOGIES AND TWIN TRANSFORMATION. International Journal of Innovation Management, 29(05n06). https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919625400122