Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Prof. Frank Piller a professor of management and the Head of the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) at RWTH Aachen University. Frank is recognized as a leading expert on customer-centric value creation strategies (mass customization, user innovation, co-creation) and open and distributed innovation ecosystems. As evidenced by an h-score of and citation record placing him among the world’s top management scholars and more than 300 general press articles about his studies, his work has attracted wide attention and acceptance in the academic and management community. Frank's current research focuses on the need of established companies to deal with disruptive business model innovations and supporting organizational structures and cultures. Leadership for Industry 4.0 and managing digital transformation are core topics in this area. He is also currently building a research program on the role of AI&ML in the innovation process: AI&ML-augmented innovation management and managing hybrid innovation teams, where human experts and algorithms/machines work together ("hybrid intelligence"). As the recipient of an ERC Synergy Grant, the SAFEr Grid project (2025-2031), he investigates with his colleagues a completely new architecture for energy distribution that also offers new opportunities for innovation and intelligent applications. At RWTH Aachen, he is also a PI of the Cluster of Excellence "Internet of Production", focusing on decision making in the age of AI/ML and industrial business ecosystems. He served as the chairman of a cross-industry group for the development of standards for platform-based digital business models ("Fachausschuss Geschäftsmodelle für Industrie 4.0"), and is a member of the Academic Advisory Board of the German National "Platform Industrie 4.0" of Germany’s federal government (BMBF & BMWK). Frank Piller is an acclaimed speaker at management conferences and executive education programs around the world. He has consulted and conducted executive workshops for most of the Dax30 and many Fortune500 companies and has taught as a visiting professor at many leading business schools around the world.
Frank Piller a full professor of technology and innovation management at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, one of Europe’s leading institutes of technology. He is regarded as one of the leading experts on strategies for customer-centric value creation, like mass customization, personalization, and innovation co-creation. His current research focuses on the needs of established firms to succeed in disruptive business model innovation. As a principal investigator of a German "Excellence Cluster", Frank Piller currently studies decision making and innovation in the age of AI/ML, Industry 4.0, and industrial data ecosystems. As evidenced by more than 400 press articles about his studies, his work has attracted wide attention in academia and management. Prof. Piller serves as a scientific advisor to Germany's national Industry 4.0 policy. He has advised many Dax30, Fortune500, and deep-tech companies.
In the Institute for Technology & Innovation Management (TIM) at RWTH Aachen University, an interdisciplinary team of seven professors and post-docs, about 30 research associates and doctoral researchers, many student researchers, and a great network of engaged guest professors and visiting scholars investigates the latest issues in strategic technology management, behavioral innovation, and computational innovation. The Institute is a proud part of the TIME Research Area, a department at RWTH's School of Business & Economics with more than 120 researchers focusing on technology, innovation, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Thematic priorities of RWTH TIM's current research and project work are… - the transformation of established organizations in the face of disruptive technological innovation, such as Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Smart Products & Services, Mass Customization, or Additive Manufacturing - the systematic development and evaluation of new business models - open innovation and customer co-creation - corporate sustainability and economic development through technological innovation as well as research on the broader societal challenges associated with new technologies (Responsible Innovation) - practices of organizational learning, organizational search, and problem-solving - how Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning augment the R&D process.
The Research Council of the Plattform Industrie 4.0 (i.e. the German stakeholder platform on Industry 4.0) is a strategic body that independently advises the Plattform, its working groups and the German federal ministries. In doing so, the Council accompanies the Plattform in its scientific, research and development expertise and cooperates closely with its working groups.
The Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) is a global community of thousands of members whose skills, expertise and experience power the most recognized and respected innovative companies in the world. PDMA's unique triad of members include product development and management practitioners, academics, and service providers in a variety of areas, including innovation processes, innovation strategy, market research, tools and metrics, organizational issues and portfolio management.
Inaugurated 40 years ago, PDMA's Outstanding Corporate Innovator (OCI) Award has become the premier honor for industry innovators. The OCI Award selection process provides an excellent mechanism for identifying companies that create and capture long-term value through product and service innovation. As a global award, companies around the world are eligible.
Leading the Innovation Management and the RWTH Aachen Ecosystem course modules in the RWTH Executive MBA program. Contributing to Teaching Modules of the RWTH MME TIME program.
Leading the academic program development of the RWTH Executive MBA with an focus on innovation and technology management.
I have been part of the founding leadership team of RWTH Business School, the Executive Education unit of RWTH Aachen's School of Business & economics, offering continuous education for professionals interested at bridging management and technology (inaugurated in 2016).