Theory-building using typologies - A worked example of building a typology of knowledge activities for innovation

Literature reviews of innovation in organizations continue to demonstrate how the determinants of innovation are ambiguous and inconsistent across studies. In order to simplify the conceptualization of innovation processes, we propose a typology of innovation activities. We contend that typologies are more than simple classifications but are theories. In using typologies we don't assume that all activities are unique but neither do we consider all activities to be identical. Instead our theorizing is enriched by adopting a finer focus based on categories of activities, which will provide more meaningful conclusions about the determinants of innovation. It is the purpose of this paper to be one of the first to offer assistance through developing a blueprint, informed by principles of 'good' theory, for building theory through typologies. We concur with Doty & Glick (1994 p.248) who suggest that such a typology is "intuitively appealing and holds considerable promise for helping management researchers to understand complex, holistic phenomenon".