# Glossary

3D printing
  A rapid prototyping technology that can produce three-dimensional artefacts for testing and for communicating concepts, as well as tools for manufacture and one-off or limited batch production. There are several different 3D printing technologies, which vary in terms of how the artefacts are formed, which materials are used, and the quality and strength of the finished artefact.

App
  A software application that can be downloaded to a mobile ICT device.

Artefacts
  Technology that includes physical products, components, machines, devices or tools.

Degrees of novelty
  Refers to whether an innovation is more radical or incremental in terms of its novelty.

Diffusion
  Refers to how something spreads across a population e.g. innovation, technology, knowledge, disease etc. For innovation, it refers to how an innovation spreads across users, markets and contexts once launched (Rogers, 2003). For technology, it refers to how a technology transfers across users, markets and contexts once it is launched or implemented.

Electric vehicle
  An electric vehicle is powered by an electric motor using energy stored in batteries that need to be charged from an external source. Fuel cell electric vehicles are a variant whereby energy storage is in a hydrogen tank, with the fuel cell converting hydrogen to electricity to power the vehicle’s electric engine.

Entrepreneur
  Someone who takes a calculated risk to provide resources for developing an innovative idea through starting a new business for profit (based on Schumpeter, 1934).

ICT
  Information and communication technologies

Incremental innovation
  Evolutionary improvements to goods, services, processes and systems using existing technologies.

Innovation combination
  An innovation that combines product (goods or services) or process elements (based on OECD/Eurostat, 2018).

Innovation management
  Involves the strategic management of people, technology, organisational and contextual factors to create preconditions to promote effective searching for ideas and technologies, and then selecting suitable ideas for development, implementation and introduction as innovations into a dynamic context (commercial or social), with the intention of capturing the maximum value of an innovation (based on Tidd and Bessant, 2018).

Innovation process
  The process by which new ideas are developed and introduced and are made available to potential customers/users either through diffusion (in the form of goods or services) or brought into use (as processes or systems) in contexts for the purpose of creating or preserving value (based on OECD/Eurostat, 2018). Invention is often part of the innovation process in the form of the highly novel idea, concept, model or design that starts the process (based on Freeman, 1971). Although innovation always starts with ideas, invention is not always the starting point for innovation.

Innovator
  Someone who develops and introduces new ideas to potential customers/users or implements new ideas into use (based on OECD/Eurostat, 2018).

Institution
  A type of organisation, often associated with government and public services, with mechanisms established to govern behaviour in society and the economy.

Intermediary
  An intermediary works across organisations as an enabler. An innovation intermediary is an enabler of innovation.

Intrapreneur
  An intrapreneur creates, promotes and introduces innovations while working as an employee within an organisation.

Invention
  Invention is often, but not always, part of the innovation process in the form of a highly novel idea, concept, model or design that starts the process (based on Freeman, 1971). Invention is more strongly associated with radical than incremental technologies. It refers to a concept that is patentable, although an inventor may choose not to patent.

Inventor
  An inventor creates highly novel ideas, concepts, models or designs for new goods, processes, services or systems (based on Freeman, 1971).

Knowledge
  Knowledge can refer to the architecture and design of a product technology. It can also refer to the systems of operation and control and related practices embedded in production process technology.

Marketing innovation
  The introduction of a new or significantly improved marketing method that differs significantly from the previous marketing processes in use (based on OECD/EUROSTAT, 2018).

Mode of enquiry and action
  A particular approach taken to develop or improve a product and/or a particular approach taken to the production process.

Organisation
  People working together for a purpose under some form of management structure. It can be for profit or not-for-profit and can be place-based or in digital space. Not-for-profit organisations include charities and public sector organisations. For-profit or business organisations are often called companies or firms. A large company is called a corporation.

Organisational innovation
  The introduction into use of a new or significantly improved organisational method. This can apply to administration and management, business practices, workplace organisation and external relations that differ significantly from the previous organisational process (OECD/Eurostat, 2018).

Organisational model
  The design of an organisational structure around a strategic purpose, for example to enable innovation, and specify the relations between the roles and functions of staff.

Process innovation
  Refers to the introduction of a new or significantly improved process into use that differs significantly from a previous process in use. It refers to a high-level category of process innovations that can apply to a range of business processes, for example production, distribution and logistics, information and communication technology systems, marketing processes (marketing and sales/after sales), organisational processes (administration and management) and process development (OECD/Eurostat, 2018).

Product innovation
  A high-level category that can apply to types of goods or service innovations. Product innovation is defined as the introduction of new or significantly improved products (goods or services) to potential customers or users that differ significantly from previous products introduced in a context (based on OECD/Eurostat, 2018).

Product innovation (goods)
  The introduction of a new or significantly improved goods to potential customers or users. This includes new goods and designs that differ significantly from previous goods introduced to potential users in a context (OECD/Eurostat, 2018). Product innovation is often equated with goods innovation in the academic literature.

Product innovation (services)
  The introduction of a new or significantly improved service offering to potential customers or users that differ significantly from previous services (based on OECD/Eurostat, 2018). It is often an improved delivery or performance of an existing service. Unlike goods, services refer to intangible offerings that can be bought, sold and experienced, but which cannot be touched or stored. Product innovation (services) is often simply referred to as ‘service innovation’ in the academic literature.

Project champion
  Someone who plays a key role in promoting the development of an innovation.

Radical innovations
  Radical innovations are characterised by their revolutionary technological novelty and effects.

Service innovation
  The introduction of a new or significantly improved service offering to potential customers or users that differ significantly from previous services (based on OECD/Eurostat, 2018). It is often an improved delivery or performance of an existing service. Unlike goods, services refer to intangible offerings that can be bought, sold and experienced, but which cannot be touched or stored. Product innovation (services) is often simply referred to as ‘service innovation’ in the academic literature.

Sharing economy
  A socioeconomic system for sharing resources between organisations and communities.

Social innovation
  Refers to (1) innovation in social interactions and relationships irrespective of the outcome of the innovation and/or (2) innovation to address a social need.

Sociotechnical
  Refers to factors and features of technology in its social context.

Sociotechnical systems
  Complex systems with elements such as goods, services, buildings and infrastructures, as well as accepted ways of doing things (laws, rules, practices and behaviours).

Stakeholders
  Individuals and groups that have an interest and involvement in the innovation process and its outcomes.

System innovations
  The introduction of a new or improved sociotechnical system in response to technological and social change that fulfils a societal and/or economic function (based on OECD, 2015). This involves a transition from one sociotechnical system to another (Geels, 2005), involving potential changes to a system of elements, such as goods, services, buildings and infrastructures, accepted practices and people.

Technology
  Technology can have several meanings, including in terms of artefacts (i.e. physical products and components, machines, devices and tools), knowledge and a mode of enquiry and action.

Technology change
  Refers to the evolution and trajectory of a technology.

TIM
  Technology and Innovation Management.

Technology systems
  A system that connects hierarchies of technologies focused on industrial structures (Dodgson et al., 2008).

OpenLearn - Introducing technology and innovation management
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