M THE DAILY INSIGHT
// updates

What is an example of a sustaining innovation?

By Emma Valentine

What is an example of a sustaining innovation?

An example of sustaining innovation is the smartphone market – every year, cell phone manufacturers (i.e. Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Amazon, LG, etc.) release updated and improved products to meet consumer demand and to integrate new technology.

Is sustaining innovation same as incremental?

Sustaining innovation, also called routine innovation, refers to innovation that happens on an incremental basis, often in response to customer and market demands or improvements in technology.

What is Clayton Christensen theory?

Clayton M. Christensen is best known for his theory of disruptive innovation, in which he warns large, established companies of the danger of becoming too good at what they do best. Through incremental innovation, that product is refined and moves upmarket, completing the disruption of the original company.

What is a sustaining innovation?

As opposed to disruptive innovation, sustaining innovation, seeks to improve existing products. Meaning, it does not create new markets or values, but rather merely develop existing ones.

Is Uber a sustaining innovation?

But Uber, true to its nature as a sustaining innovation, has focused on expanding its network and functionality in ways that make it better than traditional taxis. Apple, on the other hand, has followed a disruptive path by building its ecosystem of app developers so as to make the iPhone more like a personal computer.

Why is sustaining innovation important?

A sustaining innovation improves existing products. Because this strategy entails making a better product that they can sell for higher profit margins to their best customers, the established competitors have powerful motivations to fight sustaining battles. And they have the resources to win.

Why is sustaining innovation good?

Sustaining Innovation Businesses benefit because they can leverage their current processes and cost structures and, in turn, maintain or improve their profit margins.

Which is TCS adapted Clayton Christensen?

TCS has developed a framework for “Managing Innovation at Enterprise Scale” which has been named after Prof Clayton Christensen as “Clay Map”.

What is the difference between disruptive and sustaining innovation?

Disruptive innovation generates new markets and values, in order to disrupt existing ones. As opposed to disruptive innovation, sustaining innovation, seeks to improve existing products. Meaning, it does not create new markets or values, but rather merely develop existing ones.

What is the difference between sustaining technologies and disruptive technologies?

Disruptive technology is about change and creating new markets; it changes the way businesses operate and the way people live. Sustaining technology, on the contrary, refers to new technologies that foster improved product performance.