Successful Creation of Radical Manufacturing Technology Innovations

Manufacturing technologies are often developed incrementally, and less attention has been directed at radical innovations. Radical manufacturing technology innovations pursue significant performance improvements in the production process and are expected to enhance the competitiveness of the firm. This paper explores the successful creation of radical manufacturing technology innovations by analyzing previous empirical research and characterizing the emergence and management of the innovations. Companies engage in radical manufacturing technology innovations by bringing in advanced manufacturing technologies, carrying out technology-related R&D in processes, and innovation in their supply chain processes. Innovation by adopting new technologies developed elsewhere appears as more dominant than innovation by creation. Forthcoming research is proposed on different management practices for different types and contexts of manufacturing technology innovations, and on how digitalization-related innovations can be made into a source of competitive advantage.