A Review of Frugal Innovation with Practical Implications for Educators

Abstract

With a review of the major types of innovation (i.e. incremental innovation, radical innovation, disruptive innovation, exovation, inclusive innovation, reverse innovation, and frugal innovation), this paper focuses on frugal innovation, along with the key challenges of innovation adoption and the implications for practitioners in education. The associated obstacles and barriers that may impede the process of innovation diffusion are also explored. This study concludes with three recommendations for educators to bring innovation into the classroom, including: 1. Utilizing case studies (and lectures) to illustrate the basics of frugal innovation; 2. Creating positive learning environments and incorporating periods of “walking” in instructional design; 3. Developing e-learning capabilities. It is hoped that these actionable ideas can infuse elements of frugal innovation and inspire a culture of creativity within an educational context.