Characteristics of information usage in technological innovation

The characteristics of information contributing to the resolution of technical problems arising during thirty on-going innovations in British industry have been studied with the aim of determining the patterns of information flow consonant with successful innovation. A number of findings have emerged: 1) Information obtained from literature contributed as much as that from personal contact. The innovation process is most efficient when these two sources are used in a mutually supportive fashion. 2) Different sources are selectively used to obtain different types of information. The choice of appropriate sources and in an appropriate order has a considerable impact on the innovation process. The choice pattern improves with the higher levels of education of the problem-solver and of the research intensity of the firm: 3) No direct correlation was found between the frequency of use of a source and its relative contribution to the innovation. Some vital pieces of information are obtained from sources infrequently used. Implications for researchers and management are drawn.