Reference no: EM131270525 , Length:

Architectural Innovation:

The Reconfiguration of Existing Product Technologies and the Failure of Established Firms" defines four types of innovations: incremental, modular, architectural, and radical. Established and stable firms are inherently organized such that incremental and modular innovations are successfully handled. Radical innovations are easily recognized and are managed accordingly by forming specialty design groups to develop them. Architectural innovations use existing core design concepts in a new architecture that have a significant impact on the relationships between components than on the technologies of the components themselves. Architectural innovations are often mistaken for incremental innovations. Management needs to be able to identify architectural innovations such that proper resources are allotted and design groups are restructured.

Guiding Questions to Consider Prior to the Discussion

1. How are component versus architectural knowledge managed inside an organization?

2. How do you identify an architectural innovation?

3. How do you allocate existing resources to develop an architectural innovation successfully?

Read R-II-12, "Architectural Innovation: The Reconfiguration of Existing Product Technologies and the Failure of Established Firms".

In regards to the proximity aligner, describe the management strategy that should have been executed to identify the proximity aligner as an architectural technology, as well reallocation of resources, such that Kasper would have been the successful firm versus Canon. Make sure you address the questions posed under " Guiding Questions".

Post your response (250-300 word minimum) to the Discussion Board.

Compose your work using a word processor and save it frequently to your computer. When you are ready to make your initial posting, please click on the "Create Thread" button and enter a relevant subject line. Then copy/paste the text, which you have grammar and spell checked, from your Word document into the message field and click Submit. Your initial posting should be no more than one typed page in length. Then, reply to the postings of class members. You may agree or disagree, but you need to support your statements with facts, experience, information and/or references. Review the SBT Discussion Rubric located in the "Start Here" section of the course for more information on grading criteria.