Radical innovation, network competence and the business of body disposal. Issue 6 (4th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Canning, Louise; Szmigin, Isabelle
• Editors: Zolkiewski, Judith
• Is Part Of: Journal of business & industrial marketing. Volume 31:Issue 6(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-07-04
• Subjects: Industrial marketing -- Periodicals; 658.804
• DOI: 10.1108/JBIM-05-2014-0110
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-8624

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of network competence to radical innovation Design/methodology/approach: Technological change associated with human body disposal acts as the form of radical innovation in which network competence is examined. Interviews, observations at industry conferences and secondary data are used for the case studies featured and in which network competence is investigated Findings: The paper establishes the importance of network competence at the regime and landscape level and the contribution of actors within commercial innovation niches to bringing cremation alternatives to market Research limitations/implications: Some of the results are particular to the challenges of network entry and product introduction facing business start-ups and the context of body disposal is unique. Further research should examine network competence and radical innovation in other business fields Originality/value: The paper connects two areas of academic interest, namely niche management for sustainability and radical innovation in business markets in which networking and network competence are key to the commercialisation of innovation