Innovation in electron-optical instruments— two British case histories

• Published in: Research policy Vol. 1; no. 2; pp. 174 - 207
• Main Author: Jervis, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1972; Elsevier
• Series: Research Policy
• ISSN: 0048-7333; 1873-7625
• DOI: 10.1016/0048-7333(72)90017-0

An investigation of patterns of innovation has been carried out, using a paired case study approach. The project has considered product and process innovations in the chemical and scientific instruments industries. Each ‘pair’ consists of one attemp at innovation which was successful and another which was relatively unsuccessful or a failure. Success and failure have been evaluated in commercial terms. Results of the project were derived from statistical analysis of a large number of paremeters observed in the paired studies, and have been described elsewhere. The present paper describes in detail two of the innovations investigated, and traces events from basic research to commercial exploitation. The instruments involved are the X-ray microanalyser and the scanning electron microscope. The events described are briefly reviewed in the light of some existing hypotheses about innovation, and are related to the findings of the statistical analysis.