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More or the same? Radical, disruptive, discontinuous, and breakthrough innovation

Author

Listed:
  • Dennis Verhoeven
  • Adrian Kovacs
  • Cristina Marullo
  • Alberto Di Minin
  • Bart Van Looy

Abstract

This paper addresses the conceptual ambiguity in the literature on exceptional innovations, labelled ‘radical’, ‘disruptive’, ‘breakthrough’, or ‘discontinuous’. A bibliometric analysis of 4,407 articles shows that different labels are used by papers with shared theoretical foundations and thematic orientation. An in-depth analysis of 60 seminal contributions shows that definitions are (1) not always provided, (2) inconsistent within labels, and (3) not distinctive across labels. This complicates the exploration of the literature and the comparison of results. Definitions, when provided, agree on the existence of two underlying dimensions – novelty and impact – but disagree on how the labels relate to these dimensions. To advance conceptual clarity, we propose a typology of innovation trajectories that treats novelty and impact as distinct concepts and clarifies how and when novelty relates to impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis Verhoeven & Adrian Kovacs & Cristina Marullo & Alberto Di Minin & Bart Van Looy, 2024. "More or the same? Radical, disruptive, discontinuous, and breakthrough innovation," Working Papers of Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation, Leuven 753112, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation, Leuven.
    • Handle: RePEc:ete:msiper:753112
    Note: paper number MSI_2413
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