Coccia, M. (2016). "Sources of technological innovation: Radical and incremental innovation problem-driven to support competitive advantage of firms." Technology Analysis & Strategic Management: 1-14.

Format: Peer-reviewed journal article

Type: Research — Non-experimental

Experience level of reader: Fundamental

Annotation: Innovation-based competition is fueled by producers’ desire to succeed in the market with a novel solution to an unsolved or inadequately resolved problem. This paper uses the development of cancer drugs to examine how firms arrive at innovations using a problem-based approach. The author presents a framework to show the origin of radical and incremental innovations.  

Setting(s) to which the reported activities/findings are relevant: Government, Community, University.

Knowledge user(s) to whom the piece of literature may be relevant: Manufacturers, Researchers.

Knowledge user level addressed by the literature: Basic

This article uses the Commercial Devices and Services version of the NtK Model

• Some solutions (cancer medications) present unintended consequential effects (drug resistance) in users.
  Research conclusions from conceptual framework
  Occurrences within model: NtK Steps 2.1, 6.2, 6.3
• Phases of product development are difficult to plan when goals are not well-defined.
  Research conclusions from conceptual framework
  Occurrences within model: NtK Steps  1.4, 3.1

• Problem-based innovations are in more in demand than arbitrary extensions of technology because they address a relevant unsolved need.  
  Research conclusions from conceptual framework
  Occurrences within model: NtK Steps 1.1, 1.2
• Individually addressing consequential problems and unintended outcomes results in incremental innovation. These gradual developments can lead to radical breakthroughs.
  Research conclusions from conceptual framework
  Occurrences within model: NtK Steps 8.4, 9.2
• Decreases to any costs of production present new opportunities for innovation.
  Research conclusions from conceptual framework
  Occurrences within model: NtK 7.3, Tip 4.12