HAS INNOVATION STUDIES
BECOME A CHURCH?
Faith, myths and heresy in understanding
contemporary innovation
alfrehn

ALF REHN
www.alfrehn.com

IS THERE ANYONE LEFT WHO DOESN’T
LOVE INNOVATION?

What does it
blind us to?
THE PROBLEMS OF
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

The issue of faith:
It is both blinding but
has a capacity to
enable radical action
FAITH IN INNOVATION –
A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

DOES ZIZEK’S PROVOCATIN’ MATTER
FOR INNOVATION STUDIES?

ALAIN BADIOU AND
THE EVENT OF INNOVATION

SCOTT BERKUN’S
THE MYTHS OF INNOVATION
•A perfect hit – but on which target?
• An elegant summation of known facts in
innovation studies – does this mean that we’ve
reached theoretical stagnation?
• Going from myths to mythologies

“INNOVATION”, “CREATIVITY”, “VALUE”
— WORDS, WORDS, WORDS

<SARC> WHY [INSERT FAVORITE EXAMPLE HERE]
IS THE FUTURE OF INNOVATION. </SARC>

DECONSTRUCTING CREATIVITY
(REHN & DE COCK 2009)

Don’t misunderstand
the message

STILL: “INNOVATION” AND ITS
“STUDIES” HAS GOTTEN
BORING,
CONTROLLED,
INSTITUTIONALIZED,
STERILIZED,
NEUTERED,
HYGIENIZED,
SAFE

THE NECESSITY OF GETTING
CREATIVE ABOUT INNOVATION

HOORAY FOR HERETICS!

RE-ENERGIZING THE DEBATE THROUGH
PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION:
BRINGING IN UNCONVENTIONAL THINKERS
TAKING THE MARKET SERIOUSLY
(HERE’S A SECRET: THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT
INNOVATION AS MUCH AS WE THINK…)
ATTACKING ASSUMPTIONS: WHAT IF
INNOVATION IS A BAD IDEA?

AN
ALFREHN
PRODUCTION