Ambiguity of Innovation Typology in Innovation Measurement: Towards a Unified Typology of Innovation and Measurement Model

Abstract

Background Innovations are seen as an opportunity to sustain and accelerate the development of not only companies but also economies of countries. In the literature related to the design of innovation measurement systems, it is recommended to include the typology of innovation (Oslo Manual, 2005). Hence, literature on the subject has a number of different and often contradiction to each other typologies of innovation. This raises the problem of discrepancies, in terms of their definition, as well as possible socio-economic effects of particular types of innovation and their relationships to ex post and ex ante phases included in innovation process model. Aims So far, no attempt has been made to address the problem of unifying the typologies of innovation. The objective of this paper is to attempt this challenge and proposing one consistent typology of innovation and innovation measurement model. Materials and methods In order to achieve above mentioned aims, the article presents the major typologies of innovation which were combined with the innovation process model according to the complexity theory paradigm and mutatis mutandis method, into consistent innovation measurement model. Results The presented research results are the next step in developing a coherent innovation theory as well as helping to design a consistent innovation measurement model. Conclusion The proposed innovation measurement model helps in designing the right innovation measurement tools, both for businesses and at the macroeconomic level, for national economies. So far, no attempt has been made to address the problem of unifying the typologies of innovation.