Innovation models

Taking Myllyla (2018) 's research into account I can say that the term innovation designates both a process and its result. Innovation is the transformation of an idea into a new or improved marketable product or service, a new or improved operative manufacturing or distribution procedure, or a new method of providing a social service. As progress has been made in understanding the innovation process, new and increasingly sophisticated models have emerged.

From the analysis of the proposals made by different authors, it can be deduced that there are some models about the innovation process that are more widespread and accepted in the general literature. The most outstanding models are the Linear Models, the Staged Models, the Interactive or Mixed Models, the Integrated Models and the Network Model as investigated by Godin (2005).

Linear models

Technological innovation is described as a conversion process, in which some inputs are converted into products over a series of steps. Thus, the first models on the innovation process, although they are very simplistic in their considerations, do not stop having their historical value, since they established the bases of the later models. Its main characteristic is its linearity, which implies a progressive, sequential and orderly staggering from scientific discovery (source of innovation), to applied research, technological development, manufacturing and the market launch of novelty.

Basic investigation-> Design and engineering->Production-> Marketing->Sales.

Stages models

These models, like the previous ones, consider innovation as a linear sequential activity. One of its main contributions is that they include elements of both the push of technology and the pull of demand. The main steps are: An idea that becomes an input for the R & D department, from there it goes to design, engineering, production, marketing and finally, the product is obtained as an output of the process.

Idea-> R & D Department-> Design Department-> Engineering Department-> Production Department-> Marketing Department-> New Product Interactive or Mixed Models:

The Interactive or Mixed Models were considered by the companies as a best-practice. The companies are aimed at rationalization and cost control. These models incorporate retroactive processes of communication between the various stages.

Integrated models

The so-called "rugby approach" in product development contrasts with the traditional approach of a sequential nature. Under this approach, the product development process takes place in a multidisciplinary group whose members work together from start to finish. Instead of going through perfectly structured and defined stages, the process is shaped through the interactions of the members of the group. For example, a group of engineers can start with the product design before all the results of the feasibility tests have been obtained.

Model in Network

The Systems Integration and Network Establishment Model underscores the learning that takes place within and between companies, and suggests that innovation is generally, and fundamentally, a network distributed process.

Examples of Innovation models

• Design Thinking: Design thinking is a creative problem-solving process that takes an iterative approach to identify problems, explore solutions, and develop ideas. It is an approach that involves understanding the user, reframing the problem, generating ideas, and testing prototypes.
• Lean Startup Methodology: The Lean Startup Methodology is an iterative approach to developing a business model that helps entrepreneurs to quickly identify and validate their ideas. It is based on the principles of experimentation and iteration, and involves creating a minimum viable product (MVP) that is tested and improved upon with feedback from users.
• Agile Development: Agile Development is an iterative software development methodology that focuses on rapid development of high-quality software. It is an iterative approach that involves breaking down a project into smaller tasks, completing the tasks in short cycles, and constantly adapting and responding to feedback.
• Open Innovation: Open Innovation is an approach to innovation that involves the collaboration of different stakeholders and the sharing of resources and knowledge. It encourages the use of external resources, such as customer feedback and market research, to develop innovative products and services.

Advantages of Innovation models

Innovation models provide a number of advantages for businesses and organizations. These advantages include:

• Increased efficiency and effectiveness: Innovation models provide a systematic framework for understanding the innovation process, which can help companies to better identify potential opportunities, develop effective strategies, and create new products or services.
• Improved decision-making: Innovation models can help companies to better weigh the risks and rewards associated with different decisions, allowing them to make more informed decisions about the future.
• Enhanced creativity: By understanding the innovation process, companies can identify creative solutions to problems and develop innovative products and services.
• Improved collaboration: Innovation models can enable companies to more effectively share resources, knowledge, and ideas, leading to more successful collaborations.
• Reduced costs: By understanding the innovation process, companies can reduce the costs associated with developing products and services, as well as the costs associated with implementing them.

Limitations of Innovation models

Innovation models, although useful for understanding the innovation process, have certain limitations. These include:

• Lack of universal applicability: Innovation models are created to fit specific contexts, and the same model may not always be applicable to other contexts. For example, a model designed for consumer product innovation may not be applicable to medical device innovation.
• Difficulty of measuring outcomes: Innovation models are often difficult to measure in terms of their outcomes, as the success of an innovation may not be immediately apparent.
• Difficulty of predicting success: Innovation models also make it difficult to accurately predict the success of an innovation, as the results of an innovation are often based on factors that are difficult to anticipate.
• Complexity: Innovation models can be complex and require a significant amount of resources to develop and maintain.
• Cost: Innovation models can be costly to implement, as they often require significant investments in research and development.

Other approaches related to Innovation models

Innovation models are an important part of understanding the process of innovation. Myllyala (2018) research has focused on the concept of innovation as a process and the result of such a process. Other approaches related to Innovation models include:

• Design Thinking: Design Thinking is a user-centered approach to problem solving, by combining creativity, empathy, and divergent thinking to arrive at novel solutions.
• Lean Startup: Lean Startup is a methodology focused on creating and managing startups, where the goal is to build a product as efficiently as possible.
• Agile Methodology: Agile Methodology is an iterative and incremental approach to software development, where the goal is to deliver a product as quickly and efficiently as possible.
• Open Innovation: Open Innovation is an approach to innovation where companies collaborate with external parties to develop and commercialize new products and services.

These are a few approaches related to Innovation models that are gaining popularity. Through these approaches, companies can create a culture of innovation, where ideas can be tested and developed into products and services that can bring value to their customers. In summary, Myllyla (2018) research has identified that Innovation models are an important part of understanding the process of innovation and there are several approaches related to them.

Innovation models — recommended articles

Innovation cycle — Innovation and change — System approach — Theory of innovation — Lean startup — Methods in management — Organizational innovation — Lean product development — Innovativeness

References

• Myllyla, J. (2018) Key Innovation Management Models and Theories. Viima.
• Godin, B. (2005). The Linear Model of Innovation: The Historical Construction of an Analytical Framework, Montreal. Canadá

Author: Gonzalo Martínez-Cañavate Gómez-Millán