Discontinuous technological innovations: A review of its categorization

Abstract

Discontinuous technological innovations are important for continual market domination and new/emerging market creation. Extensive research in discontinuous innovation over the last 20 years had resulted in diversed innovation type definitions such as radical, disruptive, architectural, and really-new innovations. Although the research and definitions of each innovation type resulted in clearer understandings of each defined innovation areas, it has also created much confusion amongst the academics and practitioners. This paper recommends a discontinuous innovation framework as a basis to classify technological innovations and as a common language for academics and practitioners. © 2006 IEEE.