(Innovation as a Core Competency cont. 5)

Innovation and research

"...Research is a vigorous process of testing an idea that can lead to discoveries and provide new insights into how our natural or physical world works..."
Caroline McMillan as quoted by Alexandra Cain, 2021

Sometimes the usefulness of some scientific discoveries from research are not fully understood until years later. Two examples

i)  mRNA vaccines fighting for global Covid-19 (for decades it was known how the DNA in our cells is transcribed into a messenger mRNA which provides instructions for making cell proteins. To achieve large-scale production of mRNA, process innovation was required to scale up production of mRNA so that it could be delivered directly to a person and result in an immune response against Covid. The next step is to harness this technology to fight cancer cells.)

ii) Wi-Fi (this technology was developed by the CSIRO without knowing its end users, ie it didn't start with the point of view of the customer; it started from the point of view of technology. Once the technology was developed, they searched for potential customers.

This approach helps explain the difference between basic and applied research. Applied research refers to solving a specific problem while basic research is more generic.

For an innovation to be successful, it needs to be commercial. A good example of this is Thomas Edison's invention of the light bulb. Linked with this was the process innovation of the power lines that brought the electricity from Niagara Falls to New York City

Innovation phases

Building an innovative capacity from identifying a problem to implementing a commercial solution, ie build the capacity to identify, accelerate and scale commercial innovations (Novartis framework, ie 5 phases)

i) problem identification, ie clearly define the problem

ii) explore phase, ie use rapid trial and error so that learning builds evidence and reduced risk

iii) validate phase, ie ensure a strong focus on the value of the solution

iv) accelerate phase, ie getting the innovation ready for market

v) sustain phase, ie ensures that solutions are useable, effective and sustainable

(source: Richard Tew, 2021)