
In an article called, “What is
Disruptive Innovation?” From the Harvard Business Review – they break down the
true meaning of disruptive technologies, by examining Uber’s emergence within
the transportation service industry. Uber, is a transportation company provided
on a mobile application within the smartphone industry. It connects consumers
with drivers on a needed basis, and is often accused of transforming the US taxi
business in disruptive ways.
In contrast, disruptive innovations are initially considered
inferior by most consumers. This is an interesting point, as Uber has rarely been
described as inferior to existing taxis; “in fact, many would say it is better”
(Christensen , Raynor, & McDonald , 2015). In addition, most
customers are hesitant to use disruptive innovations, despite lower price
offerings. In the case of Uber, pricing is usually competitive or lower than
that of established taxi services, depending on surge prices.
In a quote by Mazzacuto, she states “each major new
technology leads to creative destruction” (Mazzucato, 2015, p. 64). In
addition, she uses the steam engine, the railway, electricity, electronics, the
car, the computer and the Internet as prime example of disruptive technologies.
In other words, each of these products/services were radically new inventions,
which dramatically altered the consumer market, as well as daily societal
activities. In contrast, Uber was a sustaining innovation over taxi-cabs,
rather than a revolutionary new service.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Uber is a disruptive
technology?
References
Christensen , C.
M., Raynor, M. E., & McDonald , R. (2015, December). What Is Disruptive
Innovation? Retrieved from Harvard Business Review:
https://hbr.org/2015/12/what-is-disruptive-innovation
Mazzucato, M.
(2015 ). Chapter 3: Risk-Taking State: From 'De-risking' to 'Bring it on!'. In
M. Mazzucato, The Entrepreneurial State (pp. 63-77). UK: Anthem Press.
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