Abstract

Innovation can be either “incremental” or “disruptive.” “Incremental” innovation describes the small changes to an idea, process or technology that allow it to progress up the innovation S-curve toward maturity. “Disruptive” innovation describes the implementation of new ideas, processes or technologies that cause a jump to a new S-curve. In reality there is a continuum between incremental and disruptive innovation. However, in general, disruptive innovation occurs when developments allow us to meet new customer needs or provide new capabilities [1,2] (Figure 12.1).