Holistic Innovation: An Emerging Innovation Paradigm

Abstract

This paper systematically reviews the current typical innovation paradigms worldwide and their shortcomings. Based on eastern wisdom and best innovation practices, this paper introduces a new paradigm of innovation, holistic innovation (HI). It provides a definition and theoretical framework for HI, discusses its connotations, and summarizes the theoretical contribution and policy implications. HI is total and collaborative innovation driven by strategic vision. This new innovation paradigm is a complex of strategic innovation, collaborative innovation, total innovation, and open innovation, which reflects wisdom from the Chinese context and Eastern culture. The four core elements of holistic innovation, “strategic,” “total,” “open,” and “collaborative,” are inter-related with an organic integration with the helix of HI. HI is an original innovation paradigm that conforms to the needs of firms' technological innovation management in the strategic innovation era and supports the implementation of the Innovation-Driven Development Strategy. It also helps China's enterprises build global innovation leadership and improves national innovation ability. Finally, it optimizes the innovation policy design and action mindset to achieve global peace and sustainable development.