Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Riitta Katila is a leading scholar in strategic management and innovation, renowned for her groundbreaking work on how firms search for new knowledge to drive product innovation. Her research centers on organizational learning, problem-solving, and the dynamics of technological change. In her seminal 2002 paper, "Something Old, Something New," which has garnered over 3,300 citations, Katila conducted a longitudinal study of the global robotics industry, revealing that the most innovative firms strategically blend local and distant search—leveraging familiar knowledge while also exploring novel domains. This work fundamentally reshaped our understanding of search behavior and new product introduction. She further explored the nuanced role of knowledge age in innovation, demonstrating that both old and new ideas can be valuable depending on context. Katila’s contributions have earned her widespread recognition, including multiple Best Paper awards and a lasting influence on innovation strategy research. Her insights continue to guide scholars and practitioners seeking to navigate the complex interplay between exploration and exploitation in technology-driven markets.