This book examines the results of a major study of innovation in organizations, calling into question most of the explanations of the innovation process that have been proposed in the past. The authors find that the innovation process is neither sequential and orderly, nor is it a matter of random trial-and-error; rather it is best characterized as a nonlinear dynamics system. They explain that the innovation journey involves motivating and coordinating people to develop and implement ideas by engaging in transactions with others while making the adaptations needed to achieve desired outcomes within changing organizational contexts.

This book examines the results of a major study of innovation in organizations, calling into question most of the explanations of the innovation process that have been proposed in the past. The authors find that the innovation process is neither sequential and orderly, nor is it a matter of random trial-and-error; rather it is best characterized as a nonlinear dynamics system. They explain that the innovation journey involves motivating and coordinating people to develop and implement ideas by engaging in transactions with others while making the adaptations needed to achieve desired outcomes within changing organizational contexts.