The Innovation Cube
Narasimhalu (2005) proposed the Innovation Cube model as a way of conceptualising how innovation comes about. This model proposes that there are three pairs of attributes (dimensions) that define successful innovation. These are termed:
- Drivers
- Triggers
- Enablers
Each attribute plays a different role:
- Drivers describe the reason why change is required – a need to alleviate pain or attain pleasure;
- Triggers considers whether a response to the driver is possible – either through a shift in markets, or a new technology; and
- Enablers determine the pragmatics of the innovation – is the innovation affordable and/or can the solution be delivered quickly?
This can be represented as per the diagram shown here.
Figure 1. The Innovation Cube
Source: Innovation Cube: Triggers, Drivers and Enablers for Successful Innovations, Narasimhalu, A.D., Singapore Management University (2005)
Innovation can occur along each of the three axes. It therefore is not simply about a small range of technologies or industries. It can happen across any element of human activity.
When considering the implications of the innovation cube, Narasimhalu profiled twelve typologies based upon the interactions between axis of the model. These are shown in Figure 2 to 4.
Figure 2. Drivers-Enabler Innovation Typologies
Source: Innovation Cube: Triggers, Drivers and Enablers for Successful Innovations, Narasimhalu, A.D., Singapore Management University (2005)
Figure 3. Driver-Trigger Innovation Typologies
Source: Innovation Cube: Triggers, Drivers and Enablers for Successful Innovations, Narasimhalu, A.D., Singapore Management University (2005)
Figure 4. Enabler-Trigger Innovation Typologies
Source: Innovation Cube: Triggers, Drivers and Enablers for Successful Innovations, Narasimhalu, A.D., Singapore Management University (2005)
Innovation Typologies
Source: Innovation Cube: Triggers, Drivers and Enablers for Successful Innovations, Narasimhalu, A.D., Singapore Management University (2005), Far Lane 2015