Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Innovation: the classic traps.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter1

  • 1Harvard Business School, Boston, USA.

Harvard Business Review
|November 30, 2006
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Innovation enthusiasm cycles repeat, often failing due to execution gaps. Companies must avoid common strategic, process, structural, and skill-based errors to foster successful innovation and growth.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Zoom in, zoom out.

Harvard business review·2011
Same author

Work pray love.

Harvard business review·2010
Same author

Powerlessness corrupts.

Harvard business review·2010
Same author

Transforming giants.

Harvard business review·2008
Same author

The middle manager as innovator. 1982.

Harvard business review·2004
Same author

Thriving locally in the global economy.

Harvard business review·2003
Same journal

The Case for Capitation.

Harvard business review·2016
Same journal

How to Pay for Health Care.

Harvard business review·2016
Same journal

How to Preempt Team Conflict.

Harvard business review·2016
Same journal

The Secrets of Great Teamwork.

Harvard business review·2016
Same journal

Leading the Team You Inherit.

Harvard business review·2016
Same journal

Wicked Problem Solvers.

Harvard business review·2016
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Business Strategy
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Innovation Management

Background:

  • Innovation is periodically rediscovered as a key growth driver, but often fails due to poor execution.
  • Managerial generations face recurring challenges balancing existing revenue protection with new concept support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze historical waves of innovation enthusiasm and identify recurring strategic, process, structural, and skills-based mistakes.
  • To provide practical advice for companies to avoid common innovation pitfalls and improve execution.

Main Methods:

  • Review of four major waves of innovation enthusiasm over 25 years.
  • Analysis of classic mistakes in innovation strategy, process, structure, and skills assessment.
  • Illustration with real-world company examples (e.g., AT&T Worldnet, Timberland, Ocean Spray, Quaker Oats, Arrow Electronics).

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Strategic errors include setting hurdles too high or limiting scope (e.g., Quaker Oats).
  • Process errors involve rigid planning and budgeting, stifling adaptation (e.g., Arrow Electronics).
  • Structural issues arise from clashing cultures between new ventures and existing businesses.
  • Underinvestment in the human element, such as premature removal of personnel from innovation teams, is a common pitfall.

Conclusions:

  • Successful innovation requires avoiding common strategic, process, structural, and skills-related traps.
  • Companies must carefully manage the integration of new ventures with existing operations.
  • Investing in and nurturing the human side of innovation is critical for long-term success.