James Barlow
Imperial College Business School

Abstract:
We address calls for more longitudinal multilevel research on new product development (NPD) processes for complex innovations. It has been observed that the innovation journeys in such cases may comprise a non-linear, iterative and ‘messy’ cycle of divergent and convergent activities, but there are relatively few empirical studies. Also neglected in research is the NPD process in ‘living technology’, where biology plays an active part of the development process, such as new agricultural crops and biopharmaceuticals. It is suggested that NPD processes here are rather different from conventional industries due to their ‘biologically embeddedness’. By using a longitudinal process approach and qualitative system dynamics modelling to study the development and introduction of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes for malaria eradication in an African country, we show that innovation journeys can in fact be linear and highly structured even where there is a high degree of complexity in the innovation and its adoption context. Our findings have several implications for policy and practice. We demonstrate how GM mosquitoes display properties both as public and private goods, hence technology developers need to consider factors influencing adoption decision-making from a national level to individuals in local populations.

James Barlow is a Professor of Technology and Innovation Management at Imperial College Business School. He was educated at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His work focuses on aspects of innovation in healthcare, from creation to adoption. He is particularly interested in the complex relationship between innovation in health technologies, services and infrastructure. James has led or been involved in many research projects around the world and has extensive experience advising and consulting for government and industry. His current roles include Associate Director of Research for Imperial College Health Partners and President of the International Academy for Design and Health. James’ latest book is Managing Innovation in Healthcare, published in January 2017 by World Scientific.

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Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering
Building B26/B – Room 0.1 – ground floor
Via Lambruschini 4/B, Milano