An examination of product innovation in low- and medium-technology industries: Cases from the UK packaged food sector

Abstract

This study deepens our knowledge of organisational routines and activities in the innovation process of low-and medium-technology (LMT) industries. To accomplish this, it explores how the innovation process in the packaged foods sector of the UK food industry depends on a learning-by-doing, by using and by interacting (DUI) mode of innovation including activities such as technology adaptation and the use of external firm sources. The empirical analysis is based on four case studies of new product innovation taken from a cross section of the packaged foods sector. Our findings support the view that LMT industries rely on nonformal Research and Development (R&D) activities such as firm interaction and shared experiences. We develop a set of propositions which help to explore evidence in practice of how these external sources influence the innovation process. Our research contributes to theory in the areas of innovation processes in low-and medium-technology (LMT) industries and DUI industrial modes of innovation.

Revisiting incremental product innovations in the food-manufacturing industry: an empirical study on the effect of intellectual property rights

“…Previous studies have noted that firms in the food-manufacturing industry do not substantially facilitate product and technological innovation activities, compared with other manufacturing industries (Beckeman and Skjöldebrand 2007;Christensen et al 1996;Hullova et al 2019). This is evidenced by the low ratio of research and development (R&D) intensity to sales (Beckeman and Skjöldebrand 2007;Garcia Martinez and Briz 2000;Trott and Simms 2017) and by small amount of patent applications (Christensen et al 1996;Dernis et al 2015;Garcia Martinez and Briz 2000). Rather, this industry has been process innovation-oriented (Archibugi et al 1991;Batterink et al 2006;Triguero et al 2013).…”

Towards patient‐centered packaging design: An industry perspective on processes, functions, and constraints

“…The overall contribution of the research is that it provides a critical view of medication packaging innovation and increases the awareness of managers and policy makers about the need for patient‐centered medication packaging design. The specific contributions are threefold: First, the study adds to the stream of literature on packaging innovation and design, addressed so far by a limited number of studies . Second, it contributes to an in‐depth analysis of packaging in the pharmaceutical industry by providing insights from the different stakeholders involved in medication packaging innovation.…”

“…The specific contributions are threefold: First, the study adds to the stream of literature on packaging innovation and design, addressed so far by a limited number of studies. 81,82 Second, it contributes to an in-depth analysis of packaging in the pharmaceutical industry by providing insights from the different stakeholders involved in medication packaging innovation. Third, it provides an industry perspective on patients'…”

Sustainability Performance in Food Supply Networks: Insights from the UK Industry

“…Indicatively, stringent standards and guidelines effective in the United Kingdom (UK) exert coercive pressures across end-to-end food supply chain operations to improve the sustainable performance. In economic terms, in 2014, the UK food industry comprised 16% of all UK manufacturing (over 6000 firms), with an annual turnover of £80 billion and exports reaching £12.6 billion [6]. In terms of environmental repercussions, the wider UK food industry accounts for up to 40% of the total UK greenhouse gas emissions [7], while the generated post farm-gate food waste amounts to 10 million tonnes with an annual value of over £17 billion [8].…”