Frugal Innovation

Question 1

What categories can frugal innovation be split into?

Answer 1

• It can compliment and simplify existing technologies
• Unlocks business creativity in resource-constrained environements

Question 2

Explain frugal innovation

Answer 2

• Frugal innovation re-engineers traditional R&D to target customers in a simple cost-effective way
• Requires very little R&D
• Different from disruptive innovation that requires a much heavier focus on research
• Focuses on what customers actually need
• Supports a move from a linear model to circular models of innovation - repurposing our obsolete technology for emerging countries

Question 3

What promotes frugal innovation and give examples

Answer 3

• Digital technology - digitisation is an enabler of frugal innovation
• Mobile internet, affordable smartphones, mobile phone based microscopes

Question 4

What can frugal innovation be applied to?

Answer 4

• Customer centric innovation
• New customer segments
• Speedy innovation and avoids over engineered solutions - reduced innovation budget, lower production cost

Question 5

How can frugal innovation be applied elsewhere in the world?

Answer 5

Western businesses can target emerging markets