From Idea to Impact: Understanding Innovation Latency

Abstract

This seminar presents Drawing on insights from our recently published book, Classic Cases of Innovation Latencies, we present in this talk why many promising innovations struggle to achieve impact despite their inherent merit. We showcase that innovation outcomes are shaped more by timing, ecosystem readiness, institutional structures, and societal acceptance than by the quality of ideas. Introducing the concept of innovation latency—the gap between the emergence of an idea and its meaningful adoption—we analyse diverse cases across technology, public health, transportation, sustainability, consumer markets, and communication systems. We would highlight recurring patterns of delay and resistance and conclude with our conceptual framework developed by us to manage innovation better and reduce the distance between idea and impact. For management students and scholars, the talk would offer a lens to understand innovation beyond invention, emphasizing the roles of timing, coordination, evaluation systems, and contextual readiness in shaping innovation outcomes.Book link:- https://www.amazon.in/Classic-Cases-Innovation-Latencies-Management-ebook/dp/B0GX2YYQVZ.The talk will cover: Why good ideas do not always translate into impact.Concept, definition of Innovation Latency Illustrative cases across sectors.Establish Recurring Patterns.Our Prescription Implications for Innovation Management Practice.The session will conclude with an interactive Q&A discussion.​