Towards an innovation-type mapping tool

Abstract

Purpose: Seeking to distil and integrate a range of previous definitions, models, frameworks and classifications relating to types of innovation, this paper aims to make a contribution to clarity in innovation research and practice through offering insights into the definitions of the different types of innovation, and, specifically, the relationships between them. Design/methodology/approach: This theoretical paper is based on a review of extant models and frameworks of types of innovation, which includes earlier foundation models, and more recent integrative models. Findings: This distillation results in a diagrammatic representation of the key frameworks, which is used as a platform to propose a new framework of types of innovation. Originality/value: This paper draws on all the terminologies used for types of innovation and creates an innovation type-mapping tool that can be used to clarify the various definitions and terminologies of the innovation type concept. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.