Identifying and Categorizing the Metaphorical Maps in the Field of Innovation Studies

Metaphorical mappings have been used in various fields of study over the past decades and have provided deep insights to explain new features of a little-known or complex phenomenon. In the current research, focusing on the field of innovation studies, the most important metaphorical mappings have been identified and categorized. For this purpose, a domain review has been used to review and analyze the existing literature including 48 selected metaphorical maps. The findings of the research indicate that metaphors in the field of innovation studies under 5 main themes including "conceptualization of the process of innovation development and diffusion", "development of innovation strategy and roadmap", " technological changes forecasting, evolution and development of innovation" ", "description of the atmosphere governing innovation and existing interactions and communications" and finally "Policymaking and management of research, technology and innovation" can be classified. Finally, all the extracted themes are suggested in the form of a general metaphor under the title of "innovation as a strategy" by adapting Mintzberg's 5p framework.Metaphorical mappings have been used in various fields of study over the past decades and have provided deep insights to explain new features of a little-known or complex phenomenon. In the current research, focusing on the field of innovation studies, the most important metaphorical mappings have been identified and categorized. For this purpose, a domain review has been used to review and analyze the existing literature including 50 selected metaphorical maps. The findings of the research indicate that metaphors in the field of innovation studies under 5 main themes including "conceptualization of the process of innovation development and diffusion", "development of innovation strategy and roadmap", " technological changes forecasting, evolution and development of innovation" ", "description of the atmosphere governing innovation and existing interactions and communications" and finally "Policymaking and management of research, technology and innovation" can be classified. Finally, all the extracted themes are suggested in the form of a general metaphor under the title of "innovation as a strategy" by adapting Mintzberg's 5p framework