Lesson 2.2: Innovation & Invention

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"Innovation . . . is generally understood as the successful introduction of a new thing or method . . . Innovation is the embodiment, combination, or synthesis of knowledge in original, relevant, valued new products, processes, or services.

— Luecke and Katz (2003)

Invention is an evolutionary act which leads to an outcome that is outside of the norm; norm meaning what is known, thus yielding, creation.

— Jonathan O'Neill Barnes- Apr. 19, 2009.

Innovation is not invention. But for me, they are two different things in similar field. Inventors are those who take existing knowledge and create new ideas. On the other hand, innovators add in idea in existing things, making improvements by introducing something new, the realization of a creative idea in a social context.

Since most of us are business students, then allowed me to share some of my opinions on entrepreneurship education which required creativity, innovation and invention. Broadly defined, entrepreneurship is actually the function of interaction occurring between the human nature and the environment. The most renowned concept suggested which clearly distinguishes the role of entrepreneurs in a society is as given below:

no entrepreneur, no innovation, no dynamics, no evolution

I suddenly realized that in this fast paced, globalized world, there will be a grater need for our children and us to have entrepreneurial skills and abilities to enable them to deal with life's current challenges and an uncertain future.

Bill Gates: Creator of Microsoft

Mark Zuckerberg: Creator of Facebook

Back to our topic, I always think that invention is good but what about innovation?
According to wikipedia, the goal of innovation are:

1. Improved quality
2. Creation of new markets
3. Extension of the product range
4. Reduced labour costs
5. Improved production processes
6. Reduced materials
7. Reduced environmental damage
8. Replacement of products/services
9. Reduced energy consumption
10. Conformance to regulations

Since we just need to add one product's value, then it considered our product. But what about others copyright? What about their trademarks?

I not sure if it is moral to do so, but personally I don't like it. Yes, I do agree that innovation is good. But innovation using others ideas, I doubt it. This does not means that I disagree all, using others ideas is OK for me if it does not treat others in term of financial and non-financial benefits.

I will defend my idea using the some real life examples:

The video basically shows the Japanese reporter compared their snacks with Korean's snacks. He used their nation products and randomly ask a Korean citizens to taste it. Surprisingly, all the Korean thought that was their Korean's snacks! Then the reporter went to the Korean factory which produced the snacks to have a short interview on this phenomena, but guess what the producer say? The Korean producer claimed that the two products are not same because their products have one more line at their packaging compare to Japanese's product!

Great! With one extra line in packaging, you WIN everything. There is no way for the Japanese to sue you! What a wonderful world it is?!

Ha~ That's why I not really like Korean. =X

Finally, to conclude this part, I highly recommend you guys to develop more in entrepreneurship skills. Think creatively, and perhaps someday you can be the next innovator or inventor.

Prepare for ascension.

Reference:
http://www.innovationtools.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invention
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovation
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