The innovation landscape I have sketched previously suggests that there could be some kind of symmetry. The third quadrant (disruptive) should have some similarity with the second quadrant (research), shouldn't it?
Research is often characterised as the act of intense and structured search. Though this view is not wrong, it doesn't get to the core of what research is and what it is about. Let's explore.
Recently, I've presented ideas about the innovation landscape, the protagonists, and their interactions that range from competition to cooperation. Taken together, these ideas describe all elements of an innovation system and its context: a system that produces and delivers the innovation that is needed, to those that need it, when they need it. Well, kind of ...
Previously, I discussed the characteristic roles of three innovation protagonists: societies, organisations, and entrepreneurs. Each have their strengths and weaknesses, and all of them interact with one another. But how do those interactions work? More like competition? More like cooperation?
Cardwell's Law takes a bird's eye view on competition in innovation. Though well supported by historic evidence, it only addresses the symptoms, but not the underlying reasons why a society actually engages in such competition. Time to take second look.
understanding innovation 