A Typology of Reverse Innovation

Journal of Product Innovation Management, 2015 Forthcoming

Posted: 5 Feb 2014

See all articles by Max von Zedtwitz

Max von Zedtwitz

Kaunas University of Technology

Simone Corsi

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Pisa - Institute of Management

Peder Søberg

Aalborg University - Center for Industrial Production

Romeo Frega

Harvard University - Business School (HBS)

Date Written: December 19, 2013

Abstract

Reverse innovation commonly refers to an innovation initially launched in a developing country and later introduced to an advanced country. This study expands the definition of reverse innovation beyond its market-introduction focus by considering reversals in the flow of innovation in the ideation and product development phases. It then proposes a typology of global innovation with sixteen different types of innovation flows between advanced and emerging countries, ten of which are reverse innovation flows. The latter are further differentiated into weak and strong reverse innovation. This analytical framework allows recasting of current research at the intersection between innovation and international business. Of the ten reverse innovation flows, six are new and have not been covered in the literature to date. The study discusses merits and pitfalls of the model and formulates four research propositions for future investigation before concluding with implications for management and policy making.

JEL Classification: O31

Suggested Citation

von Zedtwitz, Maximilian and Corsi, Simone and Søberg, Peder and Frega, Romeo, A Typology of Reverse Innovation (December 19, 2013). Journal of Product Innovation Management, 2015 Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2389557

Maximilian Von Zedtwitz (Contact Author)

Kaunas University of Technology ( email )

GLORAD @ School of Economics and Business
Kaunas
Lithuania

HOME PAGE: http://www.glorad.org

Simone Corsi

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Pisa - Institute of Management ( email )

Piazza Martiri della Libertà 24
Pisa, Pisa 56127
Italy

Peder Søberg

Aalborg University - Center for Industrial Production ( email )

A.C. Meyers Vænge 15
Copenhagen, 2450
Denmark

Romeo Frega

Harvard University - Business School (HBS) ( email )

Soldiers Field Road
Morgan 270C
Boston, MA 02163
United States

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