Innovation

toc =Definition=

Merriam-Webster Online defines innovation as “the introduction of something new” and “a new idea, method, or device” ([|Definition of innovation]).

Another definition more related to today's information age: “The creation, development and implementation of a new product, process or service, with the aim of improving efficiency, effectiveness or competitive advantage. Innovation may apply to products, services, manufacturing processes, managerial processes or the design of an organization. It is most often viewed at a product or process level, where product innovation satisfies a customer's needs and process innovation improves efficiency and effectiveness. Innovation is linked to creativity and the creation of new ideas, and involves taking those new ideas and turning them into reality through invention, research and new product development.” ([|Glossary of Key Terms]).

=Table=

Pattern comparison of industrial society and the information society - Innovational technology ([|Websters 18])
 * || **Industrial Society** || **Information Society** ||
 * **Core** || Steam engine (power) || Computer (memory, computation, control) ||
 * **Basic function** || Replacement, amplication of physical labour || Replacement, amplication of mental labour ||
 * **Productive power** || Material productive power (increase in per capita production) || Information productive power (increase in optimal action-selection capabilities) ||

=Manuel Castells=

In Manuel Castells article “Information City, New Economy, Network Society,” Castells points out that innovation is the fuel of the New Economy. The transformation of innovation is the third key transformation in the New Economy process, and the other two transformations are capital and labour. Castells definition of innovation is “the ability to create new products and processes and to think about new relationships between the economy and society” ([|Webster 158]).

Aspects of the innovation process:
 * culture of innovation is a culture of sharing innovation, not of hiding innovation
 * organizational learning, which happens mainly through networking and internal synergy in organizations
 * innovation is increasingly produced by territorial concentrations of production and innovation, which create innovation through synergy

=Diffusion of Innovation=

Innovations may or may not adopt due to many different facts. Some of these factors include:
 * cost
 * relative advantage of the new innovation as oppose to the existing was of things being done
 * compatiblity with the way things are being done
 * complexity of operation
 * having previous experience with a similar technology

There are also five groups of people that will or will not adopt to the innovation: Also see Diffusion of Innovations
 * 1) Innovators - the very first users
 * 2) Early Adoptors - following up only when they see it used in media like in television
 * 3) Early Majority - those who join the trend
 * 4) Late Majority - wait until later on
 * 5) Laggards - those who did not want to try and wait till the very end

=Interesting Links=

[|IDEO] – helps companies innovate and they design products, services, environments, and experiences.

=Works Cited=  “Definition of innovation.” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2005-2006. 21 Feb. 2006 .

“Glossary of Key Terms.” The Digital Strategy: Creating Our Digital Future. 21 Feb. 2006 .

Webster, Frank, ed. The Information Society Reader. New York: Routledge, 2004.

LaRose, Straubhaar. __Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology.__ Toronto: Wadsworth, 2004.