Innovation Diffusion in the Supply Chain

Abstract

Professional literature has not devoted too much attention to innovation diffusion in the supply chain. Specificity of innovation in supply chains also lacks relevant classification. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap by suggesting classification of innovation adjusted to specificity of supply chains and to describe the model of innovation diffusion in the supply chain. In order to verify the model of innovation diffusion in the supply chain, the following research methods were used: literature research, case description and instrumental case study. These are qualitative methods, often applied in theories of management. There were presented two instrumental descriptions of cases, being an effect of literature research and four descriptions of cases, being based on descriptions of innovative solutions in the logistics, submitted to the Polish contest titled "Innovative Solutions for the Logistics" in 2011. The research hypothesis, which is the model of innovation diffusion in the supply chain, has only been partly validated. As a result, the model of innovation diffusion in the supply chain requires further research, with the aim of the confirmation or the falsification