TY - JOUR

T1 - How to use analogies for breakthrough innovations

AU - Herstatt, Cornelius

AU - Kalogerakis, Katharina

PY - 2005/9

Y1 - 2005/9

N2 - Analogies can trigger breakthrough ideas in new product development. Numerous examples demonstrate that substantial innovations often result from transferring problem solutions from one industry or domain to another. For instance, the designers of the new running show generation of Nike, "Nike SHOX", use the same suspension concept like the technologies applied for formula 1 racing cars, or the biological Lotus-effect leading to the evelopment of various self-cleaning surfaces. Academic research on analogical thinking has been so far heavily influenced by general theoretical work from cognitive psychology or systematic inventing. Only a small number of studies have investigated the application of analogies in the specific context of breakthrough innovation projects. This paper focuses on the question on how analogies can be systematically used in the early innovation phases of new product development and which factors influence the successful use of analogical thinking in innovating companies. Special attention is paid to organizational facilitators and the requests on people involved in this process.

AB - Analogies can trigger breakthrough ideas in new product development. Numerous examples demonstrate that substantial innovations often result from transferring problem solutions from one industry or domain to another. For instance, the designers of the new running show generation of Nike, "Nike SHOX", use the same suspension concept like the technologies applied for formula 1 racing cars, or the biological Lotus-effect leading to the evelopment of various self-cleaning surfaces. Academic research on analogical thinking has been so far heavily influenced by general theoretical work from cognitive psychology or systematic inventing. Only a small number of studies have investigated the application of analogies in the specific context of breakthrough innovation projects. This paper focuses on the question on how analogies can be systematically used in the early innovation phases of new product development and which factors influence the successful use of analogical thinking in innovating companies. Special attention is paid to organizational facilitators and the requests on people involved in this process.

KW - Analogies

KW - breakthrough concepts

KW - innovation

KW - Management studies

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70449707938&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1142/S0219877005000538

DO - 10.1142/S0219877005000538

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:70449707938

VL - 2

SP - 331

EP - 347

JO - International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management

JF - International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management

SN - 0219-8770

IS - 3

ER -