Toward a Multistage, Multilevel Theory of Innovation

Abstract

Despite an impressive amount of research, the innovation literature may be characterized as fragmented with little cross-fertilization and synthesis of findings across levels. Based on a review of conceptual and empirical work on innovation, we present a cross-level theory that aims to clarify terminology in the innovation process and highlight key concepts and themes that have emerged in innovation research across levels of analysis. We model innovation, offer specific research propositions derived from the model, and identify directions for future research both within and across levels of analysis. Overall, this research responds to the need for greater cross-level theory building on innovation and a more inclusive consideration of various social and contextual influences in the innovation process.

Qualitative Assessment of the Learning Outcomes of an International Service Learning Project in Civil Engineering

“…Our findings are consistent with prior studies on group-level innovation, 30 global competency, 19 and teamwork. 29 To ensure cooperation between the students and the community, a service-learning project should establish a common goal that requires interdependence between the students and the community (i.e., the project should not be onesided such that only one party benefits).…”

“…According to Sears and Baba's 30 multistage, multilevel theory of innovation, the group-level innovation was the product of:…”

Innovations in Sustainable Tourism

“…On the most basic level, a consensus has been reached that an innovation consists of a creative new idea that is brought forth and applied to provide some type of business value (Sears and Baba, 2011;Yu and Hang, 2010). According to Carlsen et al (2008: 3), innovation can be described as "a catalytic development process that activates a number of processes according to a new situation".…”

“…Although much interest and research has been invested into the field of innovation due to its wide scope and significance in every industry, especially technology, even a standard definition of the term has yet to become accepted by the academic community (Yu and Hang, 2010;Markides, 2006;Sears and Baba, 2011;McElroy, 2006). The issues associated with innovation research are amplified in the tourism industry as the ambiguous definitions make it difficult to know which new ideas and concepts can be classified as innovations.…”

Innovations en tourisme durable

“…À la base, une innovation est largement reconnue comme étant le résultat d'une nouvelle idée créative dont l'application apporte une valeur ajoutée (Sears et Baba, 2011;Yu et Han, 2010). Selon Carlsen et al (2008: 3), l'innovation peut ainsi être décrite comme « a catalytic development process that activates a number of processes according to a new situation ».…”