John Bessant

John Bessant

Originally a chemical engineer, John has been active in research, teaching, and consultancy in technology and innovation management for over 30 years. He currently holds the Chair in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Exeter University where he continues to work on a variety of research topics including humanitarian innovation, user-led innovation in healthcare and enabling high involvement innovation across organizations. John is the author of over 30 books and monographs and many articles on the topic and has lectured and consulted widely around the world. His most recent books include “Managing Innovation” (John Wiley, now in its 5th edition), “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” (John Wiley, 3rd edition) and “Creativity for Innovation Management” (Routledge). You can find out more and read his blog at www.johnbessant.org.

John's Posts

Open Innovation

What is “Not Invented Here” Syndrome and How Does It Impact Innovation Success?

Have you ever experienced a situation where your company receives a great idea from outside your organization that has t...

How to Share and Manage Knowledge for Innovation
People & Culture

How to Share and Manage Knowledge for Innovation

Knowledge sharing and innovation In the 1970s, Walker’s Wagon Wheel Tavern sealed its role in innovation history. Its na...

What it means to continuously improve: Definition and strategies
Business Strategy , Continuous improvement

What it means to continuously improve: Definition and strategies

How to define Continuous Improvement? Small steps matter, especially when they’re all taken in the same direction. And t...

How to Create a Continuous Improvement Culture: Strategies and Examples
Business Strategy , Continuous improvement

How to Create a Continuous Improvement Culture: Strategies and Examples

Raise your hand if you don't want to continuously improve your organization.

The Power of Recombinant Innovation
Innovation Management

The Power of Recombinant Innovation

Innovation Across Industries Examples Wandering around Chicago in 1912 William Klann was a man on a mission. He was part...

How crisis-driven innovation can help your organization
The Innovation Manager

How crisis-driven innovation can help your organization

A note from the author: I first wrote this blog as the basis for a talk in the UK last year when the only thing worrying...

The Power of Problem Exploration
The Innovation Manager

The Power of Problem Exploration

"‘Houston, we’ve had a problem here." John Swigert’s famous words, delivered in a voice as calm and clear as the mountai...

How 3 Companies Sustained Innovation Success
Strategy & Alignment

How 3 Companies Sustained Innovation Success

Next time you switch on your TV or computer display, spare a thought for the company who probably produced the liquid cr...

What is Free Innovation?
Trends & Future Thinking

What is Free Innovation?

Kittihawk, 1903. Wilbur and Orville Wright, up at an insanely early 5am, listening to the wind singing in the wires of t...

The Power of User-Led Innovations
Ideation & Collaboration

The Power of User-Led Innovations

Babies are wonderful, a constant source of fascination as you share their discovery of a rich new world and see things a...

Creating the Physical Space for Innovation
People & Culture

Creating the Physical Space for Innovation

Building spaces for innovation is a hot topic these days. Whether you call them innovation hubs, maker-spaces, fab-labs,...