The sustainable innovation engine
| Pages | 398-405 |
| Date | 01 October 2006 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/03055720610716656 |
| Published date | 01 October 2006 |
| Author | Milton Correia de Sousa |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
ARTICLES
The sustainable innovation engine
Milton Correia de Sousa
Portuguese Society for Innovation, Porto, Portugal
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this article is to present a model for sustainable innovation based on
learning and knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach – Definitions of knowledge, innovation and learning are provided.
Followed by a discussion on the link between knowledge and innovation, the concept of the nominal
innovation probability space is introduced, built on the definitions of knowledge depth and knowledge
diversity. Different learning styles are presented and how these can increase knowledge depth and
knowledge diversity, improving a firm’s position in the innovation probability space. A final
description is provided of a model for the sustainable innovation engine.
Findings – The article finds that learning is essential to ensure sustainable innovation. Innovation
probability is impacted by the organisation’s knowledge depth and diversity. Learning styles are
correlated to the firm’s innovativeness and competitiveness. Experimentation as a learning style is
essential for discontinuous innovation. Learning effectiveness is increased if supported by a
knowledge management approach. Sustainable innovation requires a positive feedback loop between
knowledge creation (learning) and innovation.
Originality/value – The article provides useful information on the introduction of the nominal
innovation probability space based on a firm’s knowledge depth and diversity; the concept of
knowledge empathy; and the distinction between innovation and sustainable innovation and its
importance for competitive and collaborative advantage.
Keywords Learning, Innovation, Knowledge management, Sustainabledevelopment
Paper type Conceptual paper
The capacity to learn and build knowledge greatly enhances the likeliho od of continuing
success (Allee, 1997). While innovation can occur by serendipity, sustainable innovation,
from which collaborative and competitive advantage emerge, needs a systemic and
effective management approach based on knowledge and learning.
Defining knowledge, innovation and learning
For the purpose of this paper, knowledge is defined as the capacity (potential or actual)
to take effective action in varied and uncertain situations (Bennet and Bennet, 2004).
Knowledge can only reside in the mind and is therefore bound to individual context,
values, mental models of the world, and visions of the future. Taking a knowledge
perspective, innovation can be defined as the outcome of a set of activities that use
knowledge to create new value to those benefiting from its use. What is inherent to
innovation is not so much the novelty of a given product or process, albeit that is often
the case, but the creation of new value to those using the innovation. This draws a clear
distinction between innovation and invention or creativity, which by definition are
novel or new but do not necessarily create new value.
Learning is a somewhat less clear concept but most definitions concur that learning
involves some behavioural change and experience (Merriam and Caffarella, 1999,
p. 249). Taking again a knowledge perspective, learning can be seen as the creation and
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VINE
34,6
398
VINE: The journal of information and
knowledge management systems
Vol. 34 No. 6, 2006
pp. 398-405
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0305-5728
DOI 10.1108/03055720610716656
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