UNDERSTANDING INNOVATION AS A COMPLEX ADAPTIVE SYSTEM: CASE STUDIES FROM SHIMADZU AND NEC

This paper describes innovation from the viewpoint of biologic evolution, a complex adaptive system. First, three characteristics of complex adaptive systems - variation, interaction and selection - are explained. Second, we propose that variation in R&D activities is brought about by innovation seeds, which can be subdivided into reproduction and mutation types. Third, taking into account the concept of an innovation seed, we propose our innovation creation process model. Finally, our proposed concept is validated through case studies of (i) a mass analyser business by Shimadzu and (ii) a carbon nanotube business by NEC. Copyright 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd