From the Process of Innovation to Innovation as Process

We begin this paper by examining the process of innovation using Usher’s model of cumulative synthesis which comprises four steps: perception of an incomplete pattern, setting of the stage, the act of insight, and critical revision and full mastery. Going beyond a synoptic view on the process of innovation implied by this sequence, Usher’s model also anticipates a performative view of innovation as process. In this latter view, innovation is an on-going accomplishment with actors contextualizing their projects in light of their aspirations and memories. We explicate such a performative view by discussing the complexities of innovation. Considerations of performativity suggest several implications that are different from those offered by a synoptic view.

Keywords: Innovation, Process, Performativity, Contextualization, Usher

JEL Classification: o31, o32

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Garud, Raghu and Gehman, Joel and Kumaraswamy, Arun and Tuertscher, Philipp, From the Process of Innovation to Innovation as Process (January 20, 2016). The Sage Handbook of Process Organization Studies, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2786644