This book provides a sociological reading of these processes, illustrated by case studies that allow us to grasp the complexity of innovation trajectories. The case studies highlight the astonishing pathways, from the origin of inventions to their effective dissemination and use, and including the bifurcations of projects. The “surprises” thus presented refer to an invariant of innovation processes, namely that trajectories are rarely linear and that the control exercised over them is relative. Innovation in Sport concludes with a set of recommendations for optimizing the management of sport innovation. This book is intended for students of sports science and management, as well as for professionals and entrepreneurs in the sports markets.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ix
Introduction xi
Chapter 1 Theoretical Elements: A Multidisciplinary Framework between Sociology and Management of Innovation 1
1.1 Classical approaches to innovation 2
1.2 Approaches based on uses and users 6
1.2.1 The lead-user theory: the user-innovator 6
1.2.2 Innovation through use: user participation 9
1.2.3 Co-creating value: the consumer at the heart of innovation 10
1.3 The socio-technical approach to innovation: networks and attachment 13
1.4 Critical innovation studies 19
1.5 Lessons learned from resistance to innovation and unsuccessful processes 21
1.6 Conclusion 22
Chapter 2 The Different Phases of Innovation Trajectories 25
2.1 Proposal for an interpretive framework 25
2.2 Breakdown of the methodology 26
2.3 Ideation and invention 32
2.3.1 Innovation program and strategic intent 44
2.3.2 Construction, characterization and evolution of the socio-technical innovation network 50
2.3.3 Key moments in innovation trajectories 59
2.4 Relations with users and the market 64
2.5 Success or failure: assessment of the innovation project and effects on the organizations 72
Chapter 3 Detailed Accounts of Three Sports Innovation Trajectories 83
3.1 The dualski: making downhill skiing accessible to people with disabilities 84
3.1.1 Technical description of the device 84
3.1.2 Ideation: at the intersection of several actors and projects 86
3.1.3 Innovation program: towards the empowerment of disabled people 90
3.1.4 Composition and dynamics of the innovation network surrounding wheelchair skiing 90
3.1.5 Relations with users and the market 100
3.1.6 Conclusion 103
3.2 The Booster Elite calf compression sleeve from BV Sport: innovating to promote recovery and prevent injuries 104
3.2.1 Presentation of the product 104
3.2.2 Ideation phase 106
3.2.3 Innovation program and strategic intent 107
3.2.4 Construction, characterization and evolution of the socio-technical network 108
3.2.5 Key moments in the innovation trajectory 115
3.2.6 Compromises made by BV Sport: between science and market realities 118
3.2.7 Market and user relations 119
3.2.8 Conclusion 124
3.3 Hyperion 7: innovating in the field of video recording sports events 125
3.3.1 The invention phase: the collective emergence of an idea that is less original than adequately problematized 128
3.3.2 The creation of an innovation network focused on the issue of security 131
3.3.3 A network of territorialized actors with its own rules 138
3.3.4 A deliberately delayed step: starting a business 140
3.3.5 The business model envisaged 143
3.3.6 Early and unexpected prospects for diversification 144
3.3.7 A dizzying prospect 147
3.4 Appendices 148
3.4.1 The company Booster Veines Sport (BV Sport) 148
3.4.2 Strategic intent 149
3.5 Sources used 149
3.5.1 Tessier Dualski 149
3.5.2 BV Sport compression sleeve 151
Conclusion: Recommendations for the Management of Sports Organizations 153
References 161
Index 175
