Innovation process and uncertainties in resource-constrained environments : A case from the water service sector in East Africa
Loading...
Access rights
openAccess
publishedVersion
URL
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
This publication is imported from Aalto University research portal.
View publication in the Research portal (opens in new window)
View/Open full text file from the Research portal (opens in new window)
Other link related to publication (opens in new window)
View publication in the Research portal (opens in new window)
View/Open full text file from the Research portal (opens in new window)
Other link related to publication (opens in new window)
Date
2020-12
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
11
Series
Environmental Science and Policy, Volume 114, pp. 242-252
Abstract
Innovation processes face significant and not well-understood uncertainties in resource-constrained environments in developing countries. Through a case study of a water innovation process focused on Kenya, this article studies the prevailing uncertainties and management principles. With the help of a framework that combines information on technological, organizational, commercial and social aspects, our study identifies uncertainties in four distinctive stages of resource-constrained innovation: (1) Ideation and conceptualization, (2) Learning-based product and business development, (3) Scrutinized product and business development and (4) Commercialization. We recognize three principles required to manage uncertainties and develop successful resource-constrained innovations: (1) the utilization of versatile research and development approaches, (2) building internal acceptability, trust and legitimacy and (3) leveraging range of partnerships and networks to access complementary resources and capabilities in different process stages. Our findings suggest that management of uncertainties requires proactive utilization of partner networks and context-specific strategies in different stages. With this research, we contribute to the understanding of innovation processes by advancing process-based knowledge of water innovation, uncertainties and related management strategies in resource-constrained environments.Description
Keywords
Developing markets, Innovation process, Innovation uncertainties, Resource-constrained innovation, Water innovation, Water services
Other note
Citation
Hyvärinen, A M J, Keskinen, M & Levänen, J 2020, ' Innovation process and uncertainties in resource-constrained environments : A case from the water service sector in East Africa ', Environmental Science and Policy, vol. 114, pp. 242-252 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.07.007