Innovating Across Borders: Insights from Frugal and Reverse Innovation Research In today’s interconnected economy, innovation is no longer a one-way flow from advanced economies to developing markets. Instead, ideas increasingly emerge in resource-constrained environments and travel across borders, reshaping global competition. Two concepts— frugal innovation and reverse innovation —help explain this shift. Understanding Frugal Innovation Frugal innovation focuses on doing more with less. It emphasizes affordability, simplicity, and accessibility while maintaining acceptable quality standards. Rather than relying on high R&D budgets or advanced infrastructure, frugal innovators creatively recombine existing technologies and local knowledge to solve pressing social and economic problems. This approach is especially common in emerging markets, where firms must operate under institutional voids, limited capital, and price-sensitive demand. However, what begins as a necessity-driv...
Digital Leadership, Platform Capability, and Business Model Innovation in Start-Ups In today’s fast-evolving digital economy, start-ups face intense pressure to innovate rapidly while operating with limited resources. Digital leadership, digital platform capability, and digital business model innovation have emerged as three interrelated forces that determine whether start-ups can survive, scale, and compete in technology-driven markets. The Role of Digital Leadership in Start-Ups Digital leadership goes beyond traditional management skills. It reflects a leader’s ability to envision digital opportunities, embrace emerging technologies, and foster a culture of experimentation and learning. In start-ups, digital leaders play a critical role in setting strategic direction, encouraging agility, and aligning digital initiatives with business goals. Their mindset directly influences how effectively digital tools and platforms are adopted and integrated into daily operations. Digital Platfor...