Exploring and Developing Innovation Classification
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CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY RICHARD ADAMS Perceptions of innovations: exploring and developing innovation classification SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT PhD THESIS CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT PhD THESIS Academic Year 2002-2003 RICHARD ADAMS Perceptions of innovations: exploring and developing innovation classification Supervisors: Professor D. Tranfield Dr. D. Denyer September 2003 © Cranfield University 2003. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright owner. ABSTRACT The capacity to innovate is commonly regarded as a key response mechanism, a critical organisational competence for success, even survival, for organisations operating in turbulent conditions. Understanding how innovation works, therefore, continues to be a significant agenda item for many researchers. Innovation, however, is generally recognised to be a complex and multi-dimensional phenomenon. Classificatory approaches have been used to provide conceptual frameworks for descriptive purposes and to help better understand innovation. Further, by the facility of pattern recognition, classificatory approaches also attempt to elevate theorising from the specific and contextual to something more abstract and generalisable. Over the last 50 years researchers have sought to explain variance in innovation activities and processes, adoption and diffusion patterns and, performance outcomes in terms of these different ‘types’ of innovation. Three generic approaches to the classification of innovations can be found in the literature (innovation newness, area of focus and attributes). In this research, several limitations of these approaches are identified: narrow specification, inconsistent application across studies and, indistinct and permeable boundaries between categories. One consequence is that opportunities for cumulative and comparative research are hampered. The assumption underpinning this research is that, given artefact multidimensionality, it is not unreasonable to assume that we might expect to see the diversity of attributes being patterned into distinct configurations. In a mixed-method study, comprising of three empirical phases, the innovation classification problem is addressed through the design, testing and application of a multi-dimensional framework of innovation, predicated on perceived attributes. Phase I is characterised by an iterative process, in which data from four case studies of successful innovation in the UK National Health Service are synthesised with those drawn from an extensive thematic interrogation of the literature, in order to develop the framework. The second phase is concerned with identifying whether or not innovations configure into discrete, identifiable types based on the multidimensional conceptualisation of innovation artefact, construed in terms of innovation attributes. The framework is operationalised in the form of a 56-item survey instrument, administered to a sample consisting of 310 different innovations. 196 returns were analysed using methods developed in biological systematics. From this analysis, a taxonomy consisting of three discrete types (type 1, type 2 and type 3 innovations) emerges. The taxonomy provides the basis for additional theoretical development. In phase III of the research, the utility of the taxonomy is explored in a qualitative investigation of the processes underpinning the development of exemplar cases of each of the three innovation types. This research presents an integrative approach to the study of innovation based on the attributes of the innovation itself, rather than its effects. Where the challenge is to manage multiple discrete data combinations along a number of dimensions, the configurational approach is especially relevant and can provide a richer understanding and description of the phenomenon of interest. Whilst none of the dimensions that comprise the proposed framework are new in themselves, what is original is the attempt to deal with them simultaneously in order that innovations may be classified according to differences in the way in which their attributes configure. This more sensitive classification of the artefact permits a clearer exploration of relationship issues between the innovation, its processes and outcomes. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research has been supported through the assistance of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council as part of the ‘Teamworking for Knowledge Management – Building Capabilities in Complex Environments’ project, grant numbers GR/M72869 and GR/M74092. The University of Cranfield, School of Management has also financially supported this research. I gratefully acknowledge the support of both. Undertaking a PhD, for whatever reason, is a challenge. It is also an indulgence which, curiously for something which is essentially a solitary task, relies on the support and encouragement of others, much of it given unconditionally. I am indebted to friends and colleagues at Cranfield University who have made this a stimulating and enjoyable journey. Notable amongst these are the two Davids, Tranfield and Denyer, who, as supervisors, have kept their hands on the reins, at times loosely and at others tightly, allowing me the freedom to explore and the discipline to craft this thesis. Also, special thanks is due Marie Koulikoff-Souviron who has been a constant and constructive critic of my work over the last four years. I must also pay my thanks to John Towriss who guided me through the complexities of cluster analysis and, Anita Beal, of the Kings Norton Library, for her terrific feats in tracking down references. Of course, this thesis would not have been possible without the willing participation of the various institutions and individuals who have helped identify potential informants and answered my questions. I would particularly like to thank the British Association for Medical Management, the European Forum for Teamwork, the British Journal of Renal Medicine, and ‘Hospital Doctor’ and ‘Doctor’ magazines for granting access. Also, I must thank all the clinicians, nurses and medical managers who have taken an interest in this research and given generously of their time and insights. Finally, I have to thank my family, Jenny, my wife, and our children Tommy and Holly, for their unconditional support, encouragement and tolerance over the life of this PhD. Without them it would simply not have been possible. Actually, not wholly unconditional. Holly, who is only two, demands a ‘lully bink’. But that would take a whole other thesis to explain, and now is not the time. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION_______________________________________1 1.1 Introduction __________________________________________________ 1 1.2 Rationale _____________________________________________________ 1 1.3 Aims of the research____________________________________________ 4 1.4 Research outline_______________________________________________ 7 1.5 Research contribution__________________________________________ 7 1.6 Structure of the thesis __________________________________________ 9 1.7 Summary_____________________________________________________ 9 2 THE CONTEXT OF THE NHS __________________________11 2.1 Introduction _________________________________________________ 11 2.2 Innovation in Products and Services _____________________________ 11 2.3 Public and service sector innovation studies _______________________ 12 2.4 The context of the NHS ________________________________________ 15 2.5 Drivers for change____________________________________________ 17 2.5.1 Changes in operating environment __________________________________ 18 2.5.2 Technological change ____________________________________________ 20 2.5.3 Customer changes_______________________________________________ 20 2.5.4 Changing nature of competition ____________________________________ 21 2.6 Summary____________________________________________________ 21 3 CONCEPTUALISING INNOVATION____________________23 3.1 Introduction _________________________________________________ 23 3.2 Conceptualising Innovation_____________________________________ 23 3.3 Innovation Inputs_____________________________________________ 28 3.3.1 Introduction ____________________________________________________ 28 3.3.2 Structural factors________________________________________________ 28 3.3.3 Resource factors________________________________________________ 32 3.3.4 People factors __________________________________________________ 35 3.3.5 Inputs - summary________________________________________________ 38 3.4 Innovation Process____________________________________________ 38 3.4.1 Process Background _____________________________________________ 38 3.4.2 Process – summary ______________________________________________ 40 3.5 Innovation Type______________________________________________ 40 3.5.1 Type Background_______________________________________________ 40 3.5.2 Type – summary ________________________________________________ 41 3.6 Innovation Output____________________________________________ 42 3.6.1 Output Background ______________________________________________ 42 3.6.2 Innovation output - conclusion _____________________________________ 43 3.7 Conclusion___________________________________________________ 43 4 A PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION IN INNOVATION RESEARCH ________________________________47 4.1 Introduction _________________________________________________ 47 4.2 A philosophy of classification ___________________________________ 47 4.3