Low-end Innovation: An Investigation of Key Individuals and Organizational Ecosy

Low-end innovations enable companies to conquer markets and generate profits. They satisfy needs for affordable products and help to solve societal challenges.

Factsheet

Situation

Low-end innovations enable companies to conquer markets, accelerate growth and generate profits. They satisfy needs for new affordable products and they can help to make healthcare and education affordable and thus solve social challenges in the context of sustainable development. The existing knowledge base is primarily focused on high-end innovations. However, there is little knowledge about the systematic management of low-end innovations. This has a direct impact on companies and markets. For example, managers stated in a survey that low-end innovations rarely generate the expected profit.

Course of action

Five studies examine the characteristics and skills of low-end innovators, develop a valid measuring instrument for analyzing the low-end innovation preference of individuals, evaluate the effect of contextual factors and the role of key people as well as the effectiveness of strategies to support an organizational ecosystems for low-end innovations.

This project contributes to the following SDGs

  • 1: No poverty
  • 2: Zero hunger
  • 3: Good health and well-being
  • 4: Quality education
  • 7: Affordable and clean energy
  • 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • 10: Reduced inequalities