Tag Archives | innovation diffusion

What is Innovation?

By Tim Kastelle on 5 September 2012 in innovation strategy

People often think it’s weird when they hear that I study innovation – even people in very innovative jobs. The biggest reason for this is mistaking invention for innovation. If you do this, then studying innovation makes no sense at all – what can you learn about the flash of insight, the stroke of genius, [...]

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The Worst Innovation Quote Ever

By Tim Kastelle on 30 August 2012 in connect, innovation strategy

Here’s my candidate for the worst innovation quote ever: Now, to be fair, it’s actually a paraphrasing of Emerson. Or, to be more accurate, a misquote. Nevertheless, it reflects a very common innovation misconception – that it’s all about the idea. Andrew Hargadon has written a terrific post on this topic, which I encourage you [...]

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The Right Idea at the Wrong Time is Still Wrong

By Tim Kastelle on 28 August 2012 in business models, evolving economic entities

You may remember Webvan, probably the most spectacular flame-out in during the tech boom in the late 90s. If you don’t, Nicole Perlroth describes their blowup for Forbes: Of Web 1.0’s most memorable implosions, Webvan still takes the cake. The online grocer raised $375 million in an IPO, descended upon eight major U.S. cities, peddled [...]

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Innovation Requires a Change in Behaviour

By Tim Kastelle on 11 June 2012 in complex systems, connect

What is the most important innovation ever? I’ve argued before that it is hand-washing in hospitals. This innovation was a major driver in the improved health outcomes that have increased our life expectancies from less than 60 years at birth to nearly 80 in most developed countries. It’s such a simple idea, and so easy [...]

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