Identify and describe the three major types of innovation.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A. Breakthrough-fewest in number, protection is important via patents, trademarks, copyrights, examples given by the text include: penicillin, the steam engine, the computer, the airplane, the automobile, the Internet, and nanotechnology.

B. Technological-occurs more frequently than breakthrough innovation and in general is not at the same level of scientific discovery and advancement. These are very meaningful innovations, as they do offer advancements in the product/market area. As such, they usually need to be protected. Such innovations as the personal computer, the flip watch for containing pictures, voice and text messaging, and the jet airplane are examples of technological innovations.

C. Ordinary-occurs most frequently, these more numerous innovations usually extend an existing innovation into a better product or service or one that has a different-usually better-market appeal. These innovations usually come from market analysis and pull, not technology push. In other words, the market has a stronger effect on the innovation (market pull) than the technology (technology push). One ordinary innovation (Spanx) was developed by Sara Blakely, who wanted to get rid of unsightly panty lines. Examples used Spanx and gloves/slippers for yoga.