Written by a Harvard Business School Professor, this is one of the most popular titles at Amazon.com. Christensen talks about the effects of disruptive technologies and their effects on companies that are doing things right, but end up on the rocks. Has received numerous positive reviews.

Probably most suitable for those involved in generating innovation, or in charge of innovation.

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Product Description

Taking the radical position that great companies can fail precisely because they excel at the commonly accepted practices of good management, this work demonstrates why outstanding companies like Xerox, IBM, Sears and DEC had their competitive antennae up, listened to customers, and invested aggressively in new technologies, and still lost their positions of market dominance. And it shows companies today how they can avoid a similar fate.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59718 in Books
• Published on: 1997-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 225 pages

Amazon.com Review
What do the Honda Supercub, Intel's 8088 processor, and hydraulic excavators have in common? They are all examples of disruptive technologies that helped to redefine the competitive landscape of their respective markets. These products did not come about as the result of successful companies carrying out sound business practices in established markets. In The Innovator's Dilemma, author Clayton M. Christensen shows how these and other products cut into the low end of the marketplace and eventually evolved to displace high-end competitors and their reigning technologies.

At the heart of The Innovator's Dilemma is how a successful company with established products keeps from being pushed aside by newer, cheaper products that will, over time, get better and become a serious threat. Christensen writes that even the best-managed companies, in spite of their attention to customers and continual investment in new technology, are susceptible to failure no matter what the industry, be it hard drives or consumer retailing. Succinct and clearly written, The Innovator's Dilemma is an important book that belongs on every manager's bookshelf. Highly recommended. --Harry C. Edwards

From AudioFile
When new technologies become available, how do established companies take advantage of these innovations without disrupting existing relationships with customers and stockholders? The managerial formula that solves this dilemma is far from simple, but this abridgment of the author's 1997 book will be easily understood by anyone interested in technological revolutions. The clarity of these broad-brush ideas is just plain fascinating. The reader's gravity and dramatic precision will be distracting for many people, but only for the first few minutes. After that, the big ideas in this program take over and captivate the listener's attention. T.W. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
The author, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, asks why some well-managed companies that stay on top of new technology and practice quality customer service can still falter. His own research brought a surprising answer to that question. Christensen suggests that by placing too great an emphasis on satisfying customers' current needs, companies fail to adapt or adopt new technology that will meet customers' unstated or future needs, and he argues that such companies will eventually fall behind. Christensen calls this phenomenon "disruptive technology" and demonstrates its effects in industries as diverse as the manufacture of hard-disk drives and mass retailing. He goes on to offer solutions by providing strategies for anticipating changes in markets. This book is another in the publisher's Management of Innovation and Change series. David Rouse

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Customer Reviews

every product manager must read this
OK, I admit, some of it can be a bit boring, especially the first couple of chapters. But the premise and his argument are great.

A product manager who has not read this book is not a product manager at all!

unconvincing
This book analyzes why established successful companies repeatedly miss "less sensible" (to their own value network) innovations in the low-end "emerging" market and how products in the low end market eventually displace existing products in the entire market. The book does a comprehensive analysis of the phenomena.

However, I am not convinced with the analysis. People make wrong forecasts of trends and miss emerging markets for many reasons. New entrants fail in trial and error with this extremely high risk game. Does it make sense for an established company to maintain an independent unit for playing this high risk game at a considerable expense? Or should they be the follower and let small companies bear the initial high cost ? I don't think there is a clear answer like what the author has suggested.

There are some uncommon and incorrect use of technology terms (e.g. Java "protocol",computer "automated "design), which let you doubt the credibility and seriousness of the author. The writing is in fairly academic style with great clarity. But it can be repetitive in many places, revisiting the same materials.

Disrupt your competitors, not your customers!
With the Innovator's Dilemma, Clayton Christensen delivers a very powerful analysis of the role of innovation in gaining market leadership. The question raised is whether market leadership can be sustained through innovation alone. Indeed, the core of the Innovator's Dilemma illustrates how successful companies with established solutions, marquee customers and a valued brand keep being threatened and at time vanquished by start-ups. A recent example would be how established enterprise software vendors have been shaken up by disruptive startups: Remember Salesforce.com vs. Siebel Systems? Christensen addresses a difficult problem that most successful customer focused companies face. Precisely, because it is a formidable challenge for an established company to bring disrupting technology to its own installed base of customers.