Building Quote by Clayton Christensen
“I was lucky enough to build on the work of a number of people who had already run laps around this theory-building track. The original classification scheme, years ago, distinguished radical from incremental change. The theory said that established firms managed incremental change well, but would be expected to founder when their industry encountered a radical change.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Innovator’s Dilemma, 1997
Describes building on prior work and differentiating radical versus incremental change, noting firms handle incremental change but may fail under radical shifts.
In simple terms: Build on past work; distinguish radical vs incremental change; firms manage incremental change but risk failure under radical shifts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the type of change and adapt strategy accordingly.
Themes
innovation
change management
strategy
Mood
analytical
strategic
Type
theoretical
practical
When to use this quote
- product development
- industry disruption
- strategic planning
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
business theory
organizational learning
Questions to Reflect On
- How can firms detect early signs of radical change?
- What structures support rapid adaptation?
A Different Perspective
Radical change can be unpredictable and hard to anticipate.
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