ISO56002 ‒ a global standard for innovation management systems was published 2019 and empirical validation of using the standard is so far limited. This study investigates design and introduction of innovation management systems based on ISO56002 and explores the impact this brings to the studied organizations. 

Two organizations, a UK-based consultancy firm in engineering, and a Japan-based information and technology company, both explicitly utilizing ISO 56002 and considered as leading examples were studied. A qualitative approach was chosen, mainly based on interviews in order to open for elaborations on the emerging phenomenon of innovation management systems based on a standard. 

The study shows that the ISO56002 brought value to both organizations, despite them being in different sectors. The standard does not provide detail solutions, instead it is used as support to actively apply a systems approach to innovation covering strategic, structural, and cultural issues all together. Specifically, management functions are supported to address strategy and culture, including design structures for fencing space for exploration, risk-taking and experimentation. Critical features to enable this, such as appointing a core team with a long-term ambition, are identified and discussed.