The value of vision in radical technological innovation
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Is a technological vision needed to drive radical or disruptive innovations? Few studies have discussed a possible relationship between the formation of a technological vision and the sustained creation of radical innovation. Even fewer have analyzed a relationship systematically, and finding a suitable data set has proven to be a challenge to scholars. Since 1958, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has sponsored high risk, high reward research and development that bridge the gap between fundamental discoveries and their military uses. The agency's sole charter has been radical innovation, providing 52 years of sustained practice. This study draws on 59 interviews with DARPA personnel and funding recipients, whose time at the agency spans 45 of those years. Historical interviews and agency documents further validated the data set. Using grounded theory methodology, this study identifies the importance of vision in radical technological innovation, synthesizing prior studies from organizational innovation, technology management, visionary leadership, and industrial research and development. Four major findings are discussed, which address the timing and criteria for innovation visions, specific mechanisms for the formation of visions, the role of socialization on envisioning, and the corresponding governance model. These findings, supported by empirical evidence, add to the current understanding of technological visions and radical innovation research.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic; electronic resource; remote |
| Extent | 1 online resource. |
| Copyright date | 2011 |
| Publication date | 2010, c2011; 2010 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Associated with | Carleton, Tammy Lee |
|---|---|
| Associated with | Stanford University, Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| Primary advisor | Leifer, Larry J |
| Thesis advisor | Leifer, Larry J |
| Thesis advisor | House, Charles H |
| Thesis advisor | Katila, Riitta |
| Advisor | House, Charles H |
| Advisor | Katila, Riitta |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | Tammy L. Carleton. |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering. |
| Thesis | Thesis (Ph.D.)--Stanford University, 2011. |
| Location | electronic resource |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2011 by Tammy Lee Carleton
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