Patterns of generation and adoption of innovation in organizations: Contingency models of innovation attributes

Abstract

This study addresses the debate over the occurrence and the applicability of unitary sequence and multiple sequence patterns in the innovation process in organizations. Our general argument is that each pattern's explanatory power hinges on identifiable contingencies. These influencing factors can and should be taken into account by both theorists and managers. Focusing on two types of innovation processes, generation and adoption, we use two innovation attributes—complexity and type—to determine the suitability of each pattern to a specific innovation process. It is proposed that generation and adoption of simple innovations, generation of technical innovations, and adoption of administrative innovations is adequately explained by the unitary sequence pattern. However, generation and adoption of complex innovations, generation of administrative innovations, and adoption of technical innovations is better described by the multiple sequence pattern. Implications for theory development and management practice are then discussed.