When Innovation Moves at Digital Speed

All organizations grapple with what digitalization means for their business and, in particular, how digital forces will drive their approaches to innovation. But very few organizations have clearly defined the scale, speed, and scope of their engagement with the digital world. These essays, from the pages of the preeminent journal MIT Sloan Management Review, offer practical advice from experts on how to create, facilitate, and manage innovation in and for today’s digital markets.

The essays emphasize the power of intersections, where different mindsets and skills collide. These connections can be external—LEGO, for example, has engaged more than 100,000 adult fans in user communities—or internal, as when “brokers,” “connectors,” and “energizers” act within organizations. Contributors stress the value of action over analysis, citing examples that affirm the power of trial-and-error experimentation. They demonstrate that innovation success requires thinking beyond technology. Innovation is not created by white-coated scientists in a lab; it is not the job of the few but of the many. And finally, the contributors warn that the greatest enemy lies within; innovators often encounter fierce internal resistance. They consider innovations in the innovation process itself, describing the promise and pitfalls of “design thinking” and offering advice on how to manage the tension between new and existing business models.

Innovation is not a magical act practiced by a select few with rare gifts. Innovation is a discipline that can be measured, managed, and improved. When Innovation Moves at Digital Speed provides practical guidance for innovation success.

Contributors
Daniel Amaral, Jamie Anderson, Scott D. Anthony, Yun Mi Antorini, Michael Arena, Tormod Askildsen, Michael Ballé, Thomas Bartman, Jennie Björk, Marcel Bogers, Anna Brattström, Clayton M. Christensen, Edivandro Carlos Conforto, Rob Cross, Charles Dhanaraj, Thomas Fink, Nicolai J. Foss, Johan Frishammar, Johann Harnoss, Srivardhini K. Jha, Lâle Kesebi, Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Martin Kupp, Sean Looram, Mats Magnusson, Ann Majchrzak, Arvind Malhotra, James Morgan, Albert M. Muñiz, Jr., Ramiro Palma, Ishwardutt Parulkar, Eric Rebentisch, Jörg Reckhenrich, Martin Reeves, Anders Richtnér, Dave Rochlin, Duncan Simester, Jonathan Sims, Joseph V. Sinfield, Durward K. Sobek II, Freddy Solis, Kristian J. Sund, Mary Uhl-Bien, Derek van Bever, J. Andrei Villarroel, Amy Webb