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Mixed methods research (MMR), sometimes called multimethodology is an approach to a research problem that leverages the advantages of both qualitative and quantitative research methods to better understand the subject than any individual approach could offer on its own. It recognizes that qualitative and quantitative data can each contribute to different aspects of understanding of a problem, and it integrates both approaches within a holistic methodological approach.

Innovation is the process of developing and bringing to market new products, services, ideas, or solutions to problems. This is in contrast to invention, which is the development of new devices, methods, or techniques. Inventions are not necessarily innovations. For an invention to be an innovation, it must be introduced into the marketplace and become generally accepted.

The traditional model of innovation holds that innovation, research, and development are activities that take place within a company. The knowledge that is leveraged to develop new innovations comes from the employees who work at the company, and the firm then seeks to capitalize on the innovative developments by protecting that innovation. This is contrasted with open innovation, which leverages knowledge both internal and external to the company. Open innovation acknowledges that the firm may not always be the only vehicle for bringing innovations to market. Licensing, collaboration, and joint ventures (JVs) or even spin-off companies are all valid and potentially more appropriates way to utilize knowledge than having it remain in-house.

Summary: With global moves to decarbonize energy supplies, battery technologies are likely to play an increasing role by providing portable power, even without discrepancies in supply and demand of utility power, enabling new technologies.

The five forces analysis tool was developed by Harvard professor Michael Porter. The tool is commonly applied in the development of business strategy and is used as a method for understanding interfirm competition in various sectors. Porter was dissatisfied at other strategic analysis tools such as SWOT and PEST analyses and so developed the field of strategic theory by introducing this tool. The tool explains how three external and two internal forces combine to shape the intensity of competition, and hence attractiveness of any given market. It tends to be used in application, as a preliminary qualitative assessment of the firm’s strategic positioning with a view to using more developed tools at later stages of analyses.