Some strands of innovation theory make a distinction between ‘incremental’ and ‘disruptive’ (or ‘radical’) innovation. The term disruptive innovation is widely used today in the sense introduced originally as ‘disruptive technology’ by Christensen (1997). The OECD’s Oslo Manual defines an innovation as ‘disruptive’ if it has a significant impact on a market and on the economic activity of firms in that market, up to the point that new markets are created while existing markets or products may be rendered obsolete.

This workshop is to discuss the concept of disruptive innovation with a view to possible implications for the competitiveness of the European industry and for innovation policy design. The workshop will focus on three sectors which are all very important for the European economy:the chemical industry,the automotive industry, and tourism.

Markus Lassnig, e-tourism expert at Salzburg Research, presented disruptive innovation trends in tourism.

The workshop was organised in the context of INNO-Grips, the innovation policy strand of the PRO INNO Europe portal, the European Commission’s focal point for innovation policy analysis and policy cooperation in Europe.

The workshop addressed policy makers, innovation managers, economists and industry representatives.

More information: proinno-europe.eu