Modular exaptation: A missing link in the synthesis of artificial form

Pierpaolo Andriani and Giuseppe Carignani

Research Policy, 2014, vol. 43, issue 9, 1608-1620

Abstract: Exaptation, the cooption of existing technologies for emergent functions, is an important but neglected mechanism for innovation. Exaptation may enable an existing technology to (a) construct a new technological niche, (b) enter into a preexisting niche, or (c) transform the internal architecture of an artifact without changing its function.

Keywords: Exaptation; Innovation; Technology; Modularity; Adaptation; Function (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:respol:v:43:y:2014:i:9:p:1608-1620

DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2014.04.009

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