Abstract Many firms manage the innovation process by using metrics. Yet, whether measurement supports or hinders innovation continues to be a topic of debate. To shed new light on this debate, this paper presents a conceptual framework of how measurement engages attention in firms. We draw on attention based theory and conceptualize innovation measurement as an attention-focusing device. We identify two ideal types of measurement practices. i) Directional Measurement: which is based on few and unidirectional metrics and encourages exploitative innovation efforts. ii) Conversational Measurement: which is based on multiple and ambiguous metrics and encourages exploration. We extend theory building in the technology and accounting literatures by theorizing the role of metrics and measurement for attention and by discussing the implications of such attentional engagement for innovation performance. In so doing, we engage closely with the managerial task of managing innovation while simplifying its conditions, thereby providing actionable advice.

中文翻译：

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创新可以衡量吗？衡量创新如何吸引企业注意力的框架

摘要 许多公司通过使用指标来管理创新过程。然而，衡量是支持还是阻碍创新仍然是一个争论的话题。为了阐明这一争论，本文提出了衡量如何吸引企业注意力的概念框架。我们借鉴了基于注意力的理论，并将创新测量概念化为一种注意力集中设备。我们确定了两种理想的测量实践类型。i) 定向测量：基于少数单向指标，鼓励开发性创新努力。ii) 会话测量：它基于多个且不明确的指标并鼓励探索。我们通过理论化指标和衡量对注意力的作用以及讨论这种注意力参与对创新绩效的影响，扩展了技术和会计文献中的理论构建。在此过程中，我们密切参与管理创新的管理任务，同时简化其条件，从而提供可操作的建议。