Case Study 5 Question 3

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Case Study 5 Question 3 SBE – 330 Professor Cobbs DeVry University January 25, 2014 Case Study 5 3. Can you map the different kinds of innovation in the case study? Which were incremental and which radical/discontinuous? Why? Give examples to support your answer. In the case study, the evolution of light is discussed, from "the early days of putting simple wicks into congealed animal fats" to the development of LEDs. One kind of innovation is incremental innovation, in which progress is steadily made in an area of low uncertainty, with a focus on cost or feature improvements in the existing product. This can be seen as the wicks in animal fat evolved to candles then into oil lamps, building upon brighter light that are easier and safer use. Radical innovation, in which new technology was explored, occurred with Humphrey Davey inventing the carbon arc lamp. This is an example of radical innovation since it explored a new technology, offered a product that was previously and had a high level of risk. It was introduced into the marketplace without a guarantee of being accepted and put into use. The carbon arc lamps created a dramatic change, allowing safety in the mines while opening the door to alternative forms of domestic lighting and the era of gas lighting began. Another example of innovation is disruptive innovation with the creation of the first electric light bulb. This invention explored a new technology by using a tiny metal filament enclosed within a glass envelope, and offered greater convenience and adaptability than previous forms of lighting. Carbon arc lighting evolved for public street lamps, an incremental innovation, utilizing proven technology from Davy's discovery, which helped spread the use of lighting. Another big step for lighting innovation was the patenting of incandescent filament light bulbs, by legitimizing and standardizing the

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