Maximizing the impact of your innovation research: a guide to writing a compelling discussion section

Fernando Antonio Ribeiro Serra; Isabel Cristina Scafuto; Vânia Maria Jorge Nassif; Priscila Rezende da Costa

doi:10.5585/2024.27925

Authors

Fernando Antonio Ribeiro Serra Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) / São Paulo, SP - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8178-7313
Isabel Cristina Scafuto Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) / São Paulo, SP - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6788-3325
Vânia Maria Jorge Nassif Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) / São Paulo, SP - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3601-2831
Priscila Rezende da Costa Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM) / São Paulo, SP - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7012-0679

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5585/2024.27925

Keywords:

discussion section, innovation research

Abstract

Introduction

The Discussion section in an academic article holds significant importance, particularly within the context of innovation research. It is in this section that authors can move beyond the presentation of results and delve into the implications of their findings for the advancement of knowledge and practice in the field. A well-crafted Discussion section not only elucidates the meaning and relevance of the research findings but also connects them to the broader body of literature, highlighting the unique contributions of the study and paving the way for future research avenues. The proper structuring of the discussion is a fundamental element for the quality and acceptance of academic articles (Ferreira, 2013; Serra, 2017).

This editorial comment aims to provide authors with practical guidance on how to effectively write a Discussion section that meets the standards of the International Journal of Innovation (IJI).

To achieve this objective, we will first identify common pitfalls observed in Discussion sections. We will then draw on comments from experienced editors and established guidelines to offer concrete recommendations for improvement. Finally, we will present a structure for organizing the Discussion section to maximize its impact and contribution to the field of innovation research.

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Author Biographies

Fernando Antonio Ribeiro Serra, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) / São Paulo, SP - Brazil

He holds a PhD in Engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (2003). He completed his postdoctoral research in Organizational Decline at FEA/USP and in Strategy at IPL (Portugal). He is a professor in the Graduate Program in Business Administration and the Graduate Program in Project Management at Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE. He is an associate editor of Management Research and the Journal of Business Administration - RAE. He was an editor for the Ibero-American Journal of Strategy (RIAE). He is the leader of the research line in Decision Making and Strategic Management (TDE) at the PPGA of UNINOVE. He was coordinator of the ESO - Business Strategy Division of ANPAD for the 2021-2023 term and a member of the ANPAD Test Committee between 2022 and 2024. He directed the academic area at HSM. He was a professor at Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina - UNISUL, where he led Unisul Business School and taught in the Master's in Business Administration program. His teaching experience includes coordinating the Master's in Business Administration program. He was a visiting professor at UNIFESP and at the National University of the South. He leads the Behavioral Strategy research group, registered with CNPq at Uninove. He is a researcher at CARME - Center of Applied Research in Management and Economics. He is a partner at ASKKLOG. He is co-author of several books, including Learn from Failures (São Paulo, Alta Books), Time in Your Life (São Paulo, Saraiva Publishing, 2009), Strategic Management (São Paulo, Campus/Elsevier Publishing, 2014), Strategic Management (Lisbon, Lidel Publishing, 2010, and Atlas Publishing, 2014), and Becoming an Entrepreneur (Lisbon, Silabo Publishing, 2009; São Paulo, Saraiva Publishing, 2010). He has spoken at events organized by HSM, and contributed to works for MoC (Michael Porter HBS) and Marketing for a Better World with Philip Kotler. In 2012, he received the Best Professor in Strategy award at the World Congress of Education in Mumbai, India. He is a consultant and a member of strategic committees for several companies. He is a CNPq Research Productivity Fellow at Level 1D under the PQ2022 program

Isabel Cristina Scafuto, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) / São Paulo, SP - Brazil

PhD in Business Administration from Universidade Nove de Julho (2017). Master's in Language Sciences from the Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (2011). Specialist in Event Management and Planning from Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (2007). Bachelor's in Tourism - Tourism Management from Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (2005). Currently, she is a Professor and Researcher in the Stricto Sensu Graduate Program in Project Management (PPGP) at Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE. Leader of the Strategy and Projects Research Line and Group at PPGP. She is Co-editor of the International Journal of Innovation (IJI). She is part of the organizing committee of SINGEP (International Symposium on Project Management, Innovation, and Sustainability). She is also a Consultant in Teaching and Learning in Executive Education and organizes courses and lectures at Add Conhecimento, which she also founded. She is Co-founder and partner of Universo Eco (Sustainable Fashion and Beauty Marketplace). She has training in Coaching from ICI and SBPNL. She served as an Adhoc Consultant in the preparatory committee for the 2017-2020 Quadriennial Evaluation of the Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, and Tourism area, in the analysis of technical/technological production (PTT). She was the Academic Coordinator of the MBA in Hospital Administration and Health Management at the Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital Faculty - HAOC. She was also the Academic Coordinator at HSM Educação, responsible for MBA and EDP postgraduate courses. Coordinator of the MBA in Projects, MBA in Business Management, and MBA in Marketing. She was part of the team responsible for the event sector at the North Campus of Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina. She also teaches in Lato Sensu Graduate Programs. She taught courses in Tourism, Business Administration, and Management at UNISUL and UNINOVE. Her research interests include: Teaching and Learning, Executive Education, MBA, Organizational Learning, Strategic Management, Project Management, Innovation, Hospitality, and Sustainability

Vânia Maria Jorge Nassif, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) / São Paulo, SP - Brazil

Livre-Docente in Human Resources from FEARP/USP, Postdoctoral in Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Skills at FGV-SP. Doctor in Business Administration from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Master's in Education from Universidade de Ribeirão Preto, and Bachelor's in Psychology from FFCLRP/USP. Visiting Researcher at Bradley University, Illinois-USA. Leader of research projects funded by FAPESP-SP in the field of Entrepreneurship, with an emphasis on Female and Minority Group Entrepreneurship. Research Productivity Fellow (PQ2/CNPq). Professor in the Graduate Program in Business Administration at Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE/SP, researcher, and leader of the research line in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Business - IEN. She teaches courses in Entrepreneurship and Qualitative Research Methodology. Scientific Editor of IJI - International Journal of Innovation since May 2023. She was Editor-in-Chief of REGEPE - Revista de Empreendedorismo e Gestão de Pequenas Empresas from 2017 to 2020. Guest professor at FGV/SP, Fundace, and UniFacef. Founder and President of the National Association of Studies in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (ANEGEPE) from 2011 to 2016. Evaluator of projects from various funding agencies such as FAPESP, CAPES, and CNPq. Ad-hoc reviewer for 30 scientific journals and national and international conferences. Author of scientific articles, books, book chapters, e-books, and book organizer. Research interests include Entrepreneurship of Minority Groups, with an emphasis on Female Entrepreneurship, Black Women Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurial Threats and Failures, investigating psychological, emotional, affective, and cognitive aspects, resilience, behavior and entrepreneurial process, entrepreneurial leadership behavior, and senior entrepreneurship.

Priscila Rezende da Costa, Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM) / São Paulo, SP - Brazil

Doctor in Business Administration from the University of São Paulo, FEA USP, 2012. Master's in Business Administration from the University of São Paulo, FEA RP USP, 2007. Bachelor's in Business Administration from the Federal University of Lavras, UFLA, 2005.

References

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Ferreira, M. A. S. P. V. (2014). Responder aos revisores. Revista Ibero-Americana de Estratégia, 13(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.5585/ijsm.v13i1.2099

Ferreira, M. A. S. P. V., Canela, R., & Pinto, C. F. (2014). O processo editorial nos periódicos e dicas para a publicação. Revista de Gestão e Secretariado, 5(2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.7769/gesec.v5i2.307

Serra, F. A. R. (2017). Dez recomendações para aumentar a possibilidade de publicação do seu artigo. Revista Ibero-Americana de Estratégia, 16(3), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.5585/ijsm.v16i3.2563