A systems perspective on systemic innovation

The term ‘systemic innovation’ is increasing in use, but there no consensus on its meaning: five understandings of the can be identified, each based a different view what word ‘systemic’ should refer to. first understanding focuses technologies, where innovation focus synergistically integrated with other complementary innovations, going beyond boundaries single organization. Therefore, refers to technological innovations interacting larger product system. A second use development policies and governance at local, regional or national scale create an enabling environment for systems. Here, means recognition that systems enabled and/or constrained by meta-level policy third says when purpose change societal laws norms place new enablers constraints interests ecological sustainability. What makes this systemic acknowledgement existence nested systems: are parts economic systems, which all societies exist planetary ecosystem. fourth collaboration networks multiple actors. This has evolved from innovation, critical difference primary people processes rather than products. interdependency actors business community context, leading need cocreate value innovate concert through coevolutionary dynamics. fifth concerns how engage process support thinking action, it primarily process, action gives rise to, seen as systemic, system they within trying create. It accords most literature published over last 50 years. current paper offers contemporary perspective thinkers mean ‘systemic’, not only enables us provide redefinition innovation’, also helps show four previous forms have been described enhanced practice thinking.