The wider side of innovation: Filling the vacuum

According to Juan Ramis-Pujol, innovation is a complex phenomenon which is best analyzed using three parameters: innovation context, innovation content and innovation implementation. Instead of considering that innovation takes place inside a vacuum, Juan Ramis-Pujol points out that the external and internal environments of companies, which vary widely, have a direct impact on the chances of an innovation succeeding. In his view, it should be the responsibility of both governments and managers to create the optimum conditions for innovation to thrive. Traditional approaches to fostering innovation are often blinkered by their dependence on a cause and effect relationship whereas, in reality, innovation is part of a much more complex dynamic environment. Juan Ramis-Pujol, for the specific case of process innovation, puts forward a four step process framework: analysis, validation, implementation and follow up, which should allow managers to better apprehend the complexities of this particular type of innovation.