PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Chandni N Hindocha
AU  - Grazia Antonacci
AU  - James Barlow
AU  - Matthew Harris
TI  - Defining frugal innovation: a critical review
AID  - 10.1136/bmjinnov-2021-000830
DP  - 2021 Oct 01
TA  - BMJ Innovations
PG  - 647--656
VI  - 7
IP  - 4
4099  - http://innovations.bmj.com/content/7/4/647.short
4100  - http://innovations.bmj.com/content/7/4/647.full
SO  - BMJ Innov2021 Oct 01; 7
AB  - Frugal innovation (FI), which has gained traction in various sectors, is loosely defined as developing quality solutions in a resource-constrained environment that are affordable to low-income consumers. However, with its popularity, multiple and diverse definitions have emerged that often lack a theoretical foundation. This has led to a convoluted conceptualisation that hinders research and adoption in practice. Despite this plethora of perspectives and definitions, scholars do agree that there is a need for a unified definition. This critical review across the management, entrepreneurship, business and organisation studies literatures explores the multiple definitions of FI that have appeared in the last two decades and seeks to examine the commonalities and differences. One definition is supported by a theoretical underpinning, and main themes include affordability, adaptability, resource scarcity, accessibility and sustainability, however, there remains significant ambiguity around what constitutes an FI. Defining FI as a concept should not deter from focusing on its core aim and identifying an FI may be best achieved by comparing it to an incumbent alternative, rather than against an ill-defined concept. There is merit in developing a common understanding of FI to support strategies for its successful acceptance and diffusion globally.No data are available.