The second edition of the International Workshop on Innovation through Tradition and Aesthetics (IDT) provides an international, cross-disciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders to explore and discuss new perspectives and practices related to tradition and aesthetics as drivers of innovation.

In today’s rapidly changing and unpredictable business world, successful organizations are those that not only utilize science and technology but also effectively incorporate cultural heritage, aesthetic values, arts, and design into their innovation strategies. By engaging with emerging cultural trends, meanings, and experiences, companies can develop new products, services, and organizational practices that better connect with customers and communities.

While much of the innovation literature has focused on technological aspects, there is increasing recognition that tradition, aesthetics, and intangible resources are also key and often overlooked drivers of novelty, differentiation, and sustainable competitive advantage. This workshop aims to promote discussions that connect theory with practice and help build a more comprehensive framework for understanding and applying tradition and aesthetic-based innovation.

Writing Workshop with IO&M Journal Special Issue

This edition of the IDT Workshop will also serve as a writing development workshop for the upcoming Special Issue of Innovation: Organization & Management, titled “Tradition and Aesthetic as Catalysts for Innovation: New Perspectives and Practices“.

Participants are invited to submit full papers or extended abstracts to the workshop. Selected contributions will be considered for further development and potential submission to the Special Issue. The workshop will offer feedback sessions and dedicated mentoring opportunities with the guest editors to help authors refine their papers for journal submission.

Possible Topics

Contributions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• New concepts, models, and cases of product and service innovation rooted in tradition and aesthetic value drivers;
• The significance of tradition, aesthetics, arts, and design in product and service innovation;
• Tradition and aesthetic drivers, challenges, and opportunities in new product development;
• Theories and frameworks that balance origins and future directions in innovation;
• Integration and convergence among arts, design, tradition, and innovation;
• Emerging customer perspectives on value: creating meanings and experiences through innovation;
• Competence requirements and learning processes for tradition- and aesthetic-driven innovation;
• Projects and initiatives that revitalize mature products/services through tradition and aesthetic renewal;
• Principles, methodologies, approaches, and tools for tradition and aesthetic-driven innovation;
• Industry perspectives and cross-sector comparisons;
• Knowledge-based perspectives linking tradition, aesthetics, and innovation.

Important Deadlines

Workshop Paper/Abstract Submission Deadline: 31 October 2025
Notification of Acceptance: 7 November 2025
Workshop Date: 28 -29 November 2025