A Typology for Radical Innovation Projects Based on an Innovativeness Framework

Abstract

This paper addresses the ongoing discussion in the literature on innovation typologies, taxonomies, terms, and measurement. It also put forth a proposal for a novel concept and typology for radical innovations based on a holistic and dynamic innovativeness understanding on the level of the individual innovation project with respect to different context levels and process stages. By differentiating between the degrees of innovativeness at the stages of concept, realization, and impact, the so-far neglected process dimension of innovation is now considered in the proposed radicalness typology called "Total Project-Radicalness Matrix". In order to illustrate this approach, the case of the "ROBIN" innovation project was analyzed, which later became the nucleus of the new "Toll Collect System" for electronic road pricing in Germany. This novel approach tries to support managers and researchers alike in enhancing the categorization, monitoring and measurement of innovation projects during the innovation process.