Abstract

While change and innovation clearly produce much of the turbulence that besets modern businesses, research suggests that change itself is not the culprit, but rather how organizations perceive and cope with change. Both people and organizations rely on analogies to help them comprehend change, including the meaning and potential of new technologies, systems and processes. But do all analogies function in the same way? How strongly should organizations adhere to their chosen analogies?

These and similar questions prompted us to explore the role analogies play in change management. Our research found that in coping with change and innovation, companies generally engage in a three-phase process that involves assimilation, analysis and adaptation. Importantly, there is a strong distinction between analogies that focus on aspects that are familiar and those that center on what is novel. How organizations apply these different types of analogies in confronting change and innovation can be a powerful influence in shaping their long-term direction and performance.

Citation

Bingham, C. B., & Kahl, S. J. (2012, December 18). How to Use Analogies to Introduce New Ideas. Retrieved from http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/how-to-use-analogies-to-introduce-new-ideas/

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• Keyword(s):
• innovation 187
• management 80
• strategy and entrepreneurship 205

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