Christensen updates disruption theory

Abstract

Purpose

Recently, observers of the battle between incumbents and challengers have turned the field of disruptive innovation theory into contested territory. What strategies work for defenders and attackers?

Design/methodology/approach

For an update the author asked the opinion of the world’s foremost authority, Harvard professor Clayton Christensen.

Findings

According to Christensen, “We discovered that there are three types of innovations, only two of which we had caught in the [original] theory of disruption.

Practical implications

The only permanent way out of the innovator’s dilemma is to change the game being played and adopt a new corporate focus in which innovation is a necessity, not an option.

Originality/value

The article updates and broadens disruption theory. Disruption, as Christensen defines it, is a theory of competitive response.

Citation

Denning, S. (2016), "Christensen updates disruption theory", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 44 No. 2, pp. 10-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/SL-01-2016-0005