Principles of Innovation and Continuous Improvement - Desklib

This article discusses the importance of innovation for gaining a competitive advantage in the market. It focuses on the development of a smart mirror that can help in the development of fashion among people. The article covers the science behind the invention, the paradigm shift, and the industrialization of the product. Subject, course code, college/university mentioned.

Running head: PRINCIPLES OF INNOVATION AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Principles of Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Name of Student
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PRINCIPLES OF INNOVATION AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Table of Contents
Description.................................................................................................................................2
Science or invention...................................................................................................................4
New product, process or service................................................................................................5
Paradigm shift............................................................................................................................7
Industrialisation..........................................................................................................................8
Environment...............................................................................................................................9
Innovation management...........................................................................................................10
Clusters.....................................................................................................................................12
Innovation and competitiveness...............................................................................................13
Future of the product................................................................................................................15
Reference..................................................................................................................................17

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Description
Innovation is important for organisations to gain a competitive advantage in the
market. As stated by Acs (2002) in the modern world gaining a competitive advantage
require organisations to implement strategies. Therefore, the innovation is an important part
of a strategic implementation that is required for organisations to implement. In this regard, it
can be said that creativity leading to innovation as well as brainstorming is required for
organisations to continue its business in the market.
In this regard, it can be said that the product that is in focus is a smart mirror that can
help in the development of fashion among the people. The categorising of the idea is mainly
to help the people that prefer to shop and possess a high sense of fashion. The smart mirror
can help in bringing about a revolution in the market for shops that have a good reputation in
the market and work on attracting the attention of the customers.
The product can help people to develop a sense of fashion within oneself. The product
can be a replication of the smart phone so that people can choose from a variety of products
in the fashion market. The use of the product can be mainly in the shops so that people can
have a wide variety of clothing choices as well as choices related to cosmetics. The clothes
chosen by the people are directly fit as a test for the people. The people can scroll through a
number of items and at the same time identify the best item in terms of fitting, design, and
colour.
It can help the people to choose from a variety of brands and provide promotion to the
small brands, as the designs made by the small brands are included as options in the smart
mirror. Upon selecting the product that suits their needs, the people can provide payment
directly to the shops either by using cash or by credit card. This can be done by selecting the

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mode of payment so that complexity can be avoided and people can have a digitalised
experience while shopping.
The smart mirror can help to provide a new experience in the shopping department
and people can get themselves well acquainted with the use of the smart mirror as it is
considered as same use as a smart phone. Therefore, it can be said that the process of idea and
implementation of the product is one of the challenging as well as innovative process that can
be applied in the organisations.
The idea process that is generated in the development of the product can be
considered from gaining impetus from the application of smart phones. According to Betz
(2003), managing technical innovation is one of the most important aspects that every
organisation needs to apply in order to gain a competitive market in the business. Hence,
ideas generated for the implementation of the smart mirror can be done by conducting a
brainstorming session in which the applications that need to be included can be discussed.
Therefore, it can be said that the ideas of the smart mirror is generated from a variety
of components including the method of using smart phones and the payment method that is
applied while purchasing online clothes. The fact that the smart mirror can help in choosing
from clothes as well as cosmetics provide an advantage for the people. It can be said that the
idea generated for the implementation of the smart mirror is directed more towards providing
sustainability in the market and ensuring that digitalisation takes place in every industry.
The idea generated can help in attracting more people to visit the physical stores so
that they can purchase the products by choosing from a wide variety of brands. Thus, the
image of the physical stores can improve and the stores can provide a competition to the
online stores in terms of providing a huge amount of choices for the customers. Therefore,

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the invention or science behind the discovery of the item and the generation of the idea can
be discussed.
Science or invention
The idea generated from the application of smart mirror came from the use of smart
phone. The manner in which people use smart phone can be applied in the manner of using
the smart mirror. However, Bernal (1969) may argue with the fact that the generation of the
idea can be gained from saloon parlours in which the people choose from a different variety
of hairstyles.
Therefore, the application of the idea can be said to originate from the saloons and at
the same time gain idea from modern world smart phone. At the same time, the idea can from
a variety of other factors such as the absence of people visiting the physical store and the
popularity of the online stores in which the people can choose from a wide variety of
products. Hence, it can be said that the origin of the smart mirror can have variety of origin
one of them being the application of the product in hair cutting saloons.
At the same time, the science behind the invention of the smart mirror is to provide
extra facility to the people so that they can maintain their composure in the market. The
manners in which the fashion-ridden people apply the use of smart mirror require analysis
that is based on other factors in the market.
The product is based on the manner in which people use and apply smart phones. The
designing of the mirror can be attributed similarly to the use of smart phone in which people
can scroll through the items that they think can be useful for them. At the same time, various
applications can be installed in phones that people with options to remain interested in the use
of smart phones.

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In the case of the smart mirror, people can select from a variety of products and at the
same time scroll through the decisions all the while trying to fit the best option that is
available from a wide variety of options. Various applications can be installed that provide
options based on the selection of the dresses. In the words of Flanney (1994), the application
of smart mirror can help in providing the people with an opportunity to remain fashionable in
the modern world.
Therefore, it can be said that the development of the product is inspired by a variety
of applications of the same product so that digitalisation can take place and help in satisfying
the needs and wants of the customers.
The product can be related to the similarity of smart phones and the manner in which
it can provide choices to the people about various clothing item can be related to the practical
use of smart phones. The origin of the device can be traced back to the creation made by
Panasonic. The company was the first to develop the product and apply it so that it can
provide people with the ultimate choice between clothes. The derivates of the product can be
traced back to the application of artificial intelligence that provide a proper understanding of
the product and the manner in which it can be applied in the organisations.
New product, process or service
The product can meet the expectations of the customers as in the modern world
customers expect innovation in the market and at the same time easy to use mechanism.
According to Freeman and Louca (2001), new product development is required in order to
understand the popularity of a product and at the same time the response of the people.
Therefore, the introduction of smart mirror can help in raising the expectations of the people.
Therefore, it can be said that the smart mirror developed by Panasonic can meet the

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expectations of the people and at the same time provide an opportunity for the people to
embrace new technology in the market.
The product can be considered as a next generation product as it is seen that with the
development of youth in the market, the requirement and advancement of technology
increases. This provides an opportunity for every organisation to continue working in the
development of new products so that it can target the youth market. The application and
introduction of smart mirror can help in attracting the younger generation as the resemblance
with the smart phone provides an opportunity for young people to remain attracted towards
the product. Therefore, it can be said that the smart mirror is one of the products that can be
developed and implied in the future.
The needs of the customers can be satisfied as people with an enormous fashion sense
can choose from a wide variety of products. Clothes as well as cosmetics are important part
of fashion in the world, hence it can be said that the different clothes and cosmetics that exist
in the market can help in attracting a large number of customers. The needs of the customers
can be satisfied, as the product resembles that of the smart phone. Therefore, features
resembling with smart phone can help in incorporating with the smart mirror.
The push of the innovation can come from various advertising of the products. The
push marketing innovation can come based on the features of the product as well as the
potential benefits that can be provided to the customers. The target customers can be based on
the potential decision makers within the market and at the same time ensure that social media
plays a vital role in promoting the product.
On the other hand, the pull market innovation of the smart mirror can rely upon the
growth and the potential that the product may possess in the future. The importance of pull

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market is that it can help in promoting great inventions to greater inventions (Freeman &
Soete, 1997).
Paradigm shift
The relationship of the product, process or service in the society can be traced back to
the point of origin and development of the product. This can help in promoting the
application of smart mirror and ensure that every customer is reached and be provided with
an opportunity to provide self point of view about the product.
Product: The relationship that the product may have in the society speaks highly of
the standard and quality of life that exists. The manner in which the product can be developed
in the market and the responses of the people provide an idea about the popularity of the
product. The relationship with the society is that new and advanced product can be developed
after conducting a survey on the people based on the preferences. These can be applied so
that every product that is manufactured provides an opportunity for growth and satisfaction of
the customers. In a modern society, the application of the smart mirror provides an
opportunity for being a society to embrace technology keeping in mind the economic growth
and stability of the society.
Process: The process used for the manufacturing of the product need to be
environmentally friendly. The sustainability of a society is needed so that the environment
can be kept safe and at the same time developed. The process used for the manufacturing of
the smart mirror can be related to excess technical wastage that may prove disastrous for the
society. Chemicals extracted from the manufacturing of the product need to be safely
removed so that bio-hazard can be avoided. Therefore, the process required for the
manufacturing of the product can be related to the corporate social responsibility of the
product.

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Service: The services that can be gained from the adoption of the smart mirror can be
related to the relationship that exists with the customers. The customers form a key
stakeholder of a company and at the same time is an integral part of the development of a
society. Therefore, it can be said that the services provided by the company and the product
can ensure the future development and growth of the product.
Industrialisation
The revolution that the product, process and service can correspond is the beginning
of modernisation and digitalisation in a society. Kim (1997) has stated that industrialisation is
important for the development of business activities that require innovation and the use of
technical assistance. The beginning of modernisation as well as the digitalisation of products
can provide a society and the people with an opportunity to cope up with the changes and
develop in the future.
At the same time, maintaining a proper corporate social responsibility provides the
society with an opportunity to be involved with the organisation and help in its growth. The
services provided can correspond to the promptness of the organisation. For a reputed
organisation like Panasonic, the development of the smart mirror can help in the progress of
the organisation and provide it with an opportunity to correspond with the needs and demands
of the customers.
The innovation can be considered as a next wave for the development of the product.
The manner in which the product is accepted in the society can prove that it is the next wave
of innovation that may help in the growth towards digitalisation. The development of the
smart mirror can be considered as one of the important innovations that can take place in an
industry. The revolution that may take place in the world of fashion provides an opportunity
for every company to attract more customers.

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At the same time, physical stores may get to attract customers so that they visit the
stores and choose from a wide variety of clothes digitally. The places of movement of the
customers can be increased and this can provide customers with a freedom to move abut
more for selecting a particular clothing item. At the same time, the development of the smart
mirror can assist an organisation like Panasonic to develop its business in the competing
market.
The employment sectors such as any Government or Private organisations can apply
the use of the innovative product and ensure that customers can be attracted to a proper
extent. The manner in which the application of the smart mirror can help in the development
of the organisations can help in the development of the society. For example, employment
sectors particularly sectors dealing with IT firms can increase the rate of employment of the
IT professionals.
This can help in the development of the society and increase the economic value.
Therefore, it can be said that the development of the smart mirror can provide employment
opportunities to people all around the IT sectors with the hope that people in the fashion
industry can remain busy with the development of fashionable clothes. Improving the smart
mirror can also be considered as a mode of engagement of employees in the employment
sectors.
Environment
According to Mani (2002), the development of the environment is one of the most
important aspects that need to be considered by every business organisation. Without
sustainability, it can be difficult for organisations to continue maintaining a competitive
advantage in the market and ensure that social development takes place. The protection of the
environment need to be one of the main concerns of the managers and in the case of

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Panasonic, the development of an innovative technology like smart mirror provides excessive
technical wastes. The environmental issues that may surround the development of the smart
mirror can be related to the occurrence of biohazard. The production and development of the
smart mirror and the use of the product with the help of artificial intelligence can help in the
development of the products and services.
At the same time, the production and use of the product and services require proper
use of the sustainability factors. The process required for the development of the smart mirror
need to be such that it provides an opportunity to preserve the environment. For example,
colouring the sides of the mirror may excrete fumes in the air that may cause air pollution. At
the same time, radioactive elements can cause pollution and harm the people that remain near
the product. This is one of the important factors that need to be considered by the
manufacturers of the smart mirror as the radioactive element my cause panic among the
people and provide a sense of insecurity among the people.
Innovation management
According to Rosenberg (1976), six types of innovation models can be implemented
in an organisation that provides every opportunity to maintain the characteristic of a
particular product. The six types of innovation include creator, solution builder, leverager,
expander, defender and fast follower. Each of the types includes special characteristics that
help in the development of the products and continue its innovative tactics.
Organisations such as Apple, Zara, Starbucks, Amazon and many more indulge in the
application of either of the management model so that proper management and development
of the products can take place. In the case of Panasonic, the company can adopt the model
related to creator, as the company have been the initiator of the smart mirror. This is mainly

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because the smart mirror is one of the unique objects that are developed in the market with an
ability to disrupt the existing flow of the markets.
According to Robins and Webster (1999), visionaries related to the development of
the innovative process can help in managing the life cycle of the product and at the same time
limit the number of big bets that exist in the market. Highly innovative companies like
Panasonic adopt the mantel of a creator, as the aim of the organisations is to assist the
satisfaction of the customers. At the same time, searching the market for inspiration is
another extensive quality that the creators possess. Hence, proper relation can be made in the
application of the smart phone with that of the smart mirror.
The product can be brought to the market with the help of proper promotional
activities. The promotional activity can be in the form of advertising via the use of social
media or print media. In the modern world, the use and application of smart phones have
opened up opportunities for customers to use the internet more frequently.
Therefore, it is necessary that the application of the promotional method in the form
of using social media can be one of the ways by which the product can be brought to the
market. Reaching out to a wide of customers can be done by promoting the product via
facebook or twitter. At the same time, Panasonic can send emails and messages to its
customers about the introduction of the new market. This can be done to the loyal customers
and provide an opportunity to identify the needs and demands of the customers.
Hence, it can be said that the various ways by which the smart mirror can be brought
in the market rests on the use of the internet and the opportunity grabbed by Panasonic in
promoting the product. A demonstration about the use of the products and the features it
provides to the customers can be made either online or by conducting a seminar that highlight
the importance of the product.

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Clusters
The clusters that can be associated with the manufacturing of the smart mirror and its
services can help Panasonic and other organisations that use the product ensure that global
development of the product takes place. Therefore, the application of resources can be related
to the sustainability of the manufacturing of the product and providing services in the market.
Product: The clusters related to the application of the smart mirror can be in the form
that provides interest among the people. In the words of Porter (1990), the application of the
products and the innovative process involved in the promotion of the product can provide an
idea about the manner in which relation can be made with the customers. The cultures related
to the product can be in the form of national as well as local concerns that can help in the
development of the smart mirror in the market.
The stakeholders play an important role for the promotion of a product and its
success. The local as well as the global market provides opportunities for growth of the
resources and at the same time ensure that promotion of the product using various means can
help in the popularity of the smart mirror in the market.
Process: The process of manufacturing the smart mirror can be related to the
conservation and preservation of natural resources and the environment. It is necessary that
every organisation maintain sustainable factors that help in the development of a product and
at the same time gain the trust of the customers. In order to ensure that the clusters related to
the process of developing the smart mirror are kept in a sustainable manner it is necessary
that Panasonic maintain sustainability in the manufacturing of the product.
The clusters related can be in the form of local market as well as in the form of
helping the growth and development of the global market. Therefore, it can be said that the

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process of manufacturing the smart mirror is important, as the radiotoxic wastes as well as
harmful fumes is not emitted in the environment.
Service: The service provided by Panasonic over the use and application can help in
the development of the product. The service of the smart mirror can be in the form of
assisting the people about understanding the use of the product. The manner in which the
product can be used as a smart phone and the use of the applications related to searching
clothes or making payment can be provided with assistance. This can help the customers to
be well acquitted with the use of the product. The services are considered as a manner in
which store employees assist people in picking the clothes manually (Senge, 1990).
Therefore, it can be said that local or global, the service provided by the smart mirror need to
be the same and the assistance of the employees to the customers need to remain constant
with the application of the products.
Innovation and competitiveness
Competition in a market is one of the most important aspects that need to be
considered by every manager (Von Hippel, 2005). Without competition, it can be difficult for
managers of an organisation to continue innovation and undertake strategic decisions in the
market. One of the important aspects of innovation is the existence of competition in the
market and the manner in which it can help in the strategic growth of a company. In order to
ensure that the process, production and services of the smart mirror be conducted in an
efficient manner it is necessary that the support from the Government is received. The
Government is one of the major stakeholders of Panasonic.
Product: The support from the Government during the promotion of the product is an
important mechanism for success. However, one of the important factors that need to be kept
in mind is the fact that promotion should not be done by any illegal means or by hindering the

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promotional activity of the other organisations. The support of the Government in this regard
includes providing necessary resources and facilities so that the promotion can be done in a
proper manner.
It is necessary that the Government of the countries ensure that commercialisation is
done based on the value of the product. This provides opportunities for the Government to
ensure that the product reaches the target customers and at the same time bring about changes
in the organisation in terms of manufacturing the product. The support or restriction of the
Government in terms of the process of manufacturing a product is important for its
popularity.
Process: As stated by Von Hippel (1988) the process involved in the manufacturing
of a product require scrutiny from the Government as it involves the application of
sustainable factors required for its manufacturing. The manufacturing of the smart mirror
require support from the Government in a way that the process involves complete
sustainability and protection of the environment. The Government need to ensure that the
process involved in the manufacturing of the smart mirror does not damage the environment.
For this reason, it is necessary that the Government pass rights that restrict the use of
excessive resources. Therefore, Government infrastructure can be developed in the form of
campaigns so that Panasonic can ensure that proper promotion of the sustainability factors
can help in maintaining the environment. At the same time, laws and rules can provide
stability to the manufacturing process and ensure that Panasonic maintain the required laws in
the society.
Service: The services of the company need to ensure that the customers get proper
after sales service and understand the needs of the customers. It is necessary that in the case
of smart mirror, every employee working at the stores need to be aware of the manner in

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which the smart mirror can be used. For this, the support from the Government can be in the
form of providing facilities for training and development of the employees (Tidd, Bessant &
Pavitt, 2007).
The manner in which the services can be provided can be taught during the training
sessions. Therefore, it can be said that the Government infrastructure that can be developed
might help in the dominance of the market and develop the employees in a proper.
Future of the product
The future of the product can help in attracting young generation and ensure that the
product finds success in the competing market. The fact that modernisation in the form of
digitalisation is one of the growing trends in the modern world provides an idea about the
manner in which the application of smart mirror can grow in the market. It can be stated that
the future of business can be ruled by digitalisation and innovative practises such as smart
mirrors can help in the development of digitalisation. The smart mirror provides different
choices to the people about the type of cloth and cosmetics that may be useful.
It is important for every organisation and along with it the customers to understand
the potential of the innovation. The analysis of the features of the product suggests that in the
future smart mirror can soon replace traditional method of searching clothes. One of the
changes that can be made is the fact that the smart mirror need to provide opportunities to the
customers to look more deeply to the materials used for manufacturing the clothes. This can
help the customers to understand the quality of cloth used and help the customers to
understand fully the custom that they are purchasing.
Therefore, it can be said that the application and growth of the smart mirror can help
in the development of fashion in the society and ensure that every people remain aware of the

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method that can be used for selecting the clothes. The process and services of the application
of the smart mirror can help in its development.

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Reference
Acs, Z. (2002), Innovation and the Growth of Cities. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar
Bernal J.D. (1969), Science in History (3rd Ed in 4 volumes), London: Pelican
Betz, F. (2003), Managing Technological Innovation: Competitive Advantage from Change.
(2nd edition), Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley
Flanney, T.F. (1994), The Future Eaters; An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands
and People, Sydney: Reed New Holland
Freeman, C., & Louca, F. (2001), As Time Goes By: From the Industrial Revolution to the
Information Revolution, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Freeman, C., & Soete, L. (1997), The Economics of the Industrial Revolution (3rd Ed),
London: Pinter
Kim, L. (1997), Imitation to Innovation, Boston, Mass: Harvard Business Press
Mani, S. (2002), Government, Innovation and Technology Policy, Cheltenham, UK: Edward
Elgar
Porter, M., (1990), The Competitive Advantage of Nations, London: Macmillan
Robins, K. & Webster, F. (1999), Times of the Technoculture, London: Routeledge
Rosenberg, N. (1976), Perspectives on Technology, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Senge, P. M. (1990). The Fifth Discipline: The art and practise of the learning organisation,
Milsons Point, Sydney: Random House

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Tidd, J., Bessant, J., & Pavitt, K. (2007), Managing Innovation, (4th Edition), Chichester:
John Wiley
Von Hippel, E., (1988), Source of Innovation, New York: Oxford University Press
Von Hippel, E., (2005), Democratizing Innovation, Boston, USA: MIT Press