What is the significance of innovation in global marketing? Describe different categories of innovation with examples

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Innovations for new products are important for any corporation to maintain a competitive edge. A product's newness can be assessed in the context of those who buy and use it. An existing product can be new to a market which was not exposed to it. The product may also be an entirely new invention or innovation. When such products are successful, they create new markets, new consumption patterns, and new ideas for further innovations. Innovations that result in creating new markets and new consumption patterns that literally break with the past are categorized as "discontinuous innovations." For example, the VCR's introduction was revolutionary and changed the way people watched and recorded movies. Likewise, computers have also brought a revolution in many ways. Another category of innovation that may be less disruptive or change producing is categorized as dynamically continuous innovations. Products in this category share certain features with earlier generations while incorporating new features that often add value to produce substantial changes. For example, Mach3 shaving systems by Gillette are an innovative development of existing products. Finally, the third category consists of products that can be truly defined as "new and improved." This category of innovations is referred to as continuous innovation. Continuous innovations cause minimal disruption of existing consumption patterns and require the least amount of learning by consumers. Examples of this category will include newer models of computers for those who are familiar with laptops and personal computers. These often take the form of line extensions such as new sizes, flavors, and low-fat versions.