Comments for Innovationedge http://innovationedge.com Providing Strategic Solutions for a Changing World Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:50:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on Getting downright disruptive means getting disruptive down right by Cheryl Perkins http://innovationedge.com/2008/06/09/getting-downright-disruptive-means-getting-disruptive-down-right/#comment-24 Cheryl Perkins Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:25:00 +0000 http://innovationedge.com/?p=308#comment-24 Thanks you for your comment. The examples were meant to illustrate the principle of disruption and not to illustrate the complex and often poorly defined area of sustainability. Whether throwing germs away with biodegradable facial tissue or retaining them in handkerchiefs is truly sustainable or not may depend on one's definition of sustainability. End users, manufacturers and others need to consider the pros and cons of these products from a sustainability perspective. We do want to remind our readers that a holistic approach to sustainability can require consideration of many factors, sometimes making quick judgments incomplete. Ideally, a disruptive innovation would be sustainable on several levels while also providing convenience, cost effectiveness, and generally making life better for all. We look forward to tracking many such innovations in the future. Cheryl Thanks you for your comment. The examples were meant to illustrate the principle of disruption and not to illustrate the complex and often poorly defined area of sustainability. Whether throwing germs away with biodegradable facial tissue or retaining them in handkerchiefs is truly sustainable or not may depend on one’s definition of sustainability. End users, manufacturers and others need to consider the pros and cons of these products from a sustainability perspective. We do want to remind our readers that a holistic approach to sustainability can require consideration of many factors, sometimes making quick judgments incomplete. Ideally, a disruptive innovation would be sustainable on several levels while also providing convenience, cost effectiveness, and generally making life better for all. We look forward to tracking many such innovations in the future.

Cheryl

]]> Comment on Getting downright disruptive means getting disruptive down right by Dunphy http://innovationedge.com/2008/06/09/getting-downright-disruptive-means-getting-disruptive-down-right/#comment-23 Dunphy Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:26:00 +0000 http://innovationedge.com/?p=308#comment-23 Whilst accepting Swiffer and Kleenex as good examples of disruptive innovation they are certainly not good examples of sustainable innovation. We need to broaden our definitions and take into account the 'externalities' we introduce when innovating. Disposable products in general do not include these external 'hidden costs' (material loss, disposal, land-fill,etc)and the consequences that may arise (pollution. Convenience has a price, even though we may not be asked to pay it, and it is time we raised our innovation vision to address it! http://brendandunphy.blogspot.com/ Whilst accepting Swiffer and Kleenex as good examples of disruptive innovation they are certainly not good examples of sustainable innovation. We need to broaden our definitions and take into account the ‘externalities’ we introduce when innovating. Disposable products in general do not include these external ‘hidden costs’ (material loss, disposal, land-fill,etc)and the consequences that may arise (pollution. Convenience has a price, even though we may not be asked to pay it, and it is time we raised our innovation vision to address it! http://brendandunphy.blogspot.com/

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