Frugal innovation in complex systems: Evidence from nuclear reactor design and development in India

Abstract

Frugal innovation has typically been observed in the design of relatively simple artifacts and systems.This work finds evidence of in a 'complex' setting: the design and development nuclear reactors in India. Drawing on more than 40 interviews with reactor designers and equipment manufacturers, this paper describes the improvisational design practices that led to a localization of reactor technology in India. These findings are significant because they suggest the possibility of an alternate home-grown technology development paradigm for resource-constrained designers in developing countries.