Multigenerational product innovation process in electronic information industry: a qualitative study

Purpose Developing multigenerational products through iteration helps enterprises cope with environmental uncertainty and maintain lasting competitive advantages in a globally competitive environment. From the knowledge integration perspective, this study aims explore how enterprises achieve multigenerational product innovation. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory case study design is used to explore the multigenerational product innovation process. Findings This study proposes a model of the multigenerational product innovation process and shows that knowledge integration includes two important parts: the internalization of external knowledge and intergenerational knowledge integration. This study further conclude that multigenerational innovation has three main channels: rapid iteration, continuous reflection and coordination. Originality/value First, this study presents a theoretical model of the process of multigenerational product innovation, including triggers, knowledge integration, learning systems and outcomes, and further enhances our understanding from product innovation to multigenerational product innovation. Second, this study contributes to the literature on the multigenerational product innovation process by revealing the knowledge integration process of the internalization of external knowledge and intergenerational knowledge integration.