Serving society at large

Operationalization and evidence of (advanced) frugal innovation in industrialized economies

authored by: Julian Barnikol, Ingo Liefner
Abstract: In existing works, frugal innovations are predominantly associated with emerging markets. Little is known about the development and diffusion of frugal innovations in industrialized economies or high-income countries. According to recent research, this can also be attributed to structural differences between emerging and industrialized economies. However, very little empirical research exists that examines the impact of such differences on frugal innovation. This paper develops initial steps towards assessing frugal attributes of existing products. In addition, it can be assumed that the application of certain frugal design principles inhibits attractiveness in certain markets due to the resulting lower level of amenities. However, frugality methods that rely more heavily on internal customization also exist. Accordingly, the possibility of using these methodologies also exists beyond serving the needs of the poor, fulfilling the needs of societies in general, including high-income population groups.
Organisation(s): Institute of Economic and Human Geography
Type: Article
Journal: Technological Forecasting and Social Change
Volume: 204
No. of pages: 14
ISSN: 0040-1625
Publication date: 07.2024
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Business and International Management, Applied Psychology, Management of Technology and Innovation
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123444 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{17b703ac1d914551988cce0b717b0a1d,
title = "Serving society at large: Operationalization and evidence of (advanced) frugal innovation in industrialized economies",
abstract = "In existing works, frugal innovations are predominantly associated with emerging markets. Little is known about the development and diffusion of frugal innovations in industrialized economies or high-income countries. According to recent research, this can also be attributed to structural differences between emerging and industrialized economies. However, very little empirical research exists that examines the impact of such differences on frugal innovation. This paper develops initial steps towards assessing frugal attributes of existing products. In addition, it can be assumed that the application of certain frugal design principles inhibits attractiveness in certain markets due to the resulting lower level of amenities. However, frugality methods that rely more heavily on internal customization also exist. Accordingly, the possibility of using these methodologies also exists beyond serving the needs of the poor, fulfilling the needs of societies in general, including high-income population groups.",
keywords = "Advanced frugal innovation, Affordable products, Frugal design principles, Green technologies, Sustainability",
author = "Julian Barnikol and Ingo Liefner",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 The Authors",
year = "2024",
month = jul,
doi = "10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123444",
language = "English",
volume = "204",
journal = "Technological Forecasting and Social Change",
issn = "0040-1625",
publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",
}