Trends in Global R&D and Reverse Innovation
Speaker: Dr. Max von Zedtwitz, Professor and Director, GLORAD Research Center for Global R&D Management and Reverse Innovation, To
Date: Tuesday, December 18 2012
Time: 10:00AM to 11:00AM
Refreshments: 9:45AM
Location: E62-550, Sloan School of Management
Host: Professor Edward Roberts, Sloan School of Management
Contact: Nira Manokharan, 617-253-5977, nira@csail.mit.edu
Abstract: Reverse innovation commonly refers to an innovation launched first in a developing country before later being introduced to an advanced country. This phenomenon has gained attention due to the increasing R&D performance of countries such as China and India, and anecdotal examples from companies such as GE. The concept of reverse innovation, however, has so far been poorly grounded in existing IB and innovation theory.
In this talk, I expand the definition of reverse innovation beyond a purely market-introduction concept by identifying two additional reversals in the flow of innovation: development-based reverse innovation and ideation-based reverse innovation. Based on data covering more than 7,000 global R&D investments, I explain the shifting nature of global R&D trends of the past twenty years. I propose a typology of global innovation with sixteen different types of innovation flows between advanced and emerging countries, ten of which are reverse innovation flows. These are further differentiated into weak and strong reverse innovation. This analytical framework allows recasting current research at the intersection between innovation and international business. I discuss merits and pitfalls of the model and open questions for reverse innovation before concluding with research propositions for future investigation.
See other events happening in December 2012
