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Innovation at the end of the life cycle: discontinuous innovation strategies by incumbents

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  • Maikel Kishna
  • Simona Negro
  • Floortje Alkemade
  • Marko Hekkert

Abstract

This paper focuses on the strategies of incumbents that seek to develop discontinuous innovations within the boundaries of a mature innovation system. Mature innovation systems do not provide support for these discontinuous innovations. This article focuses on exploring why incumbents in these setting engage in discontinuous innovation and what strategies they deploy to become successful. We analyse 10 cases of incumbents developing discontinuous innovations in the mature Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector. The results of our analysis show that the incumbents are primarily triggered by dissatisfaction with the current way of doing business and that the existing institutions are the main barrier to discontinuous innovation. In response, the incumbents try to circumvent the existing innovation system in their innovation process, but when successful also engage in changing the existing innovation system. This paper contributes to the understanding of the role of incumbents as source of discontinuous innovation in mature innovation systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Maikel Kishna & Simona Negro & Floortje Alkemade & Marko Hekkert, 2017. "Innovation at the end of the life cycle: discontinuous innovation strategies by incumbents," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3), pages 263-279, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:indinn:v:24:y:2017:i:3:p:263-279
    DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2016.1226163
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    Cited by:

    1. Nhat Strøm-Andersen, 2019. "Incumbents in the Transition Towards the Bioeconomy: The Role of Dynamic Capabilities and Innovation Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Allan Dahl Andersen & Jochen Markard, 2017. "Innovating incumbents and technological complementarities: How recent dynamics in the HVDC industry can inform transition theories," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20170612, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.
    3. Godlewska Malgorzata & Mackiewicz Marta, 2023. "Local context of local government participation in the innovation networks: Evidence from Poland," International Journal of Management and Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, vol. 59(3), pages 243-263, September.
    4. Katia Picaud-Bello & Thomas Johnsen & Richard Calvi & Mihalis Giannakis, 2019. "Exploring early purchasing involvement in discontinuous innovation: A dynamic capability perspective," Post-Print hal-02380474, HAL.
    5. Meike Löhr & Jochen Markard & Nils Ohlendorf, 2024. "(Un)usual advocacy coalitions in a multi-system setting: the case of hydrogen in Germany," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 57(3), pages 567-597, September.

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