The R&D Management Conference is an international gathering of academics and practitioners interested in the study of research, development, technology management and innovation. The conference provides a valuable means of communication and exchange of ideas among academics and practioners. The prestigious event is of long standing: the Conference was initiated in Manchester in 1980 and the 41st edition of the conference is due to take place this year in Paris, France, under the theme "The Innovation Challenge: Bridging Research, Industry and Society".