5 - Innovation Typologies

Summary

This chapter explains and discusses different innovation typologies. “Typology” refers to not only types of innovation but also other aspects. This chapter explains and discusses innovation types, including product or service (e.g., using online system by public organizations), process (e.g., one-stop-shops), mission (e.g., get to the Moon), policy (e.g., energy), partner (e.g., collaborating with business and nonprofit organizations to deliver services), citizen (e.g., codesigning parks with citizens), technological (e.g., new online car registration), social (e.g., providing affordable housing), governance (e.g., citizen participation apps), marketing or communication (e.g., promotion of public services), and rhetorical innovations (e.g., a new logo, without changing organizational structure) in the public sector. In addition to these innovation types, this chapter also discusses other typologies and aspects, including the radical (or breakthrough, e.g., Open University), incremental innovations (e.g., non-disruptive innovation), complex (e.g., introducing a toll charge in a road), and open innovations (e.g., civic hackathons) in the public sector. This chapter offers insights into how these distinctions matter for innovative activities.