Innovation is proven to be an absolute requirement for growth and development, but the type and motivation of innovations may differ depending on the context (socio-economic and cultural characteristics, geography, infrastructure, mindset and income levels of customers). At a time when the entire world seems to be merely paying lip service to the term ‘smart city’, it is important to understand that for a city to be considered smart, the urban system needs to be adaptable and innovative. This research talks about a specific approach to innovation - Jugaad. ‘Jugaad Smartness’ refers to a way of developing flexible, frugal, sustainable and inclusive solutions for cities. I believe this dimension is essential for cities in the face of the various contemporary challenges. ‘Jugaad’ (/dʒuːˈɡɑːd/, Hindi: जुगाड़) is a Hindi word that in everyday language refers to an innovative hack or a quick fix that fulfils the immediate need by making things work (finding solutions) from whatever resources are at hand. This ‘good enough’ or ‘will do’ attitude can lead people to view jugaad as only a temporary solution. India, which is also a focus of this thesis, has become a breeding ground for frugal and social global innovations. This research aims to illustrate that jugaad innovation can be a driver of transitional change and lead to long-term, durable impact. The thesis analyzes various cases of jugaad solutions, especially those of Indian origin; discussing the various approaches adopted by local firms and multi-national companies and the diffusion of social innovations. Furthermore, the research also looks at the dynamics between the existing regime and niches, in reference to jugaad innovation. Jugaad is a frugal, simple, sustainable and inclusive approach to innovation. It aims to create solutions (products/services/processes) that are accessible to those who are generally un(der)served or excluded and does so with minimum possible wastage. It takes advantage of existing material resources and human capital to deliver context-appropriate alternatives. Hence, the question arises: Are jugaad solutions more than ‘just good enough’? Could they in fact be better?

Innovation is proven to be an absolute requirement for growth and development, but the type and motivation of innovations may differ depending on the context (socio-economic and cultural characteristics, geography, infrastructure, mindset and income levels of customers). At a time when the entire world seems to be merely paying lip service to the term ‘smart city’, it is important to understand that for a city to be considered smart, the urban system needs to be adaptable and innovative. This research talks about a specific approach to innovation - Jugaad. ‘Jugaad Smartness’ refers to a way of developing flexible, frugal, sustainable and inclusive solutions for cities. I believe this dimension is essential for cities in the face of the various contemporary challenges. ‘Jugaad’ (/dʒuːˈɡɑːd/, Hindi: जुगाड़) is a Hindi word that in everyday language refers to an innovative hack or a quick fix that fulfils the immediate need by making things work (finding solutions) from whatever resources are at hand. This ‘good enough’ or ‘will do’ attitude can lead people to view jugaad as only a temporary solution. India, which is also a focus of this thesis, has become a breeding ground for frugal and social global innovations. This research aims to illustrate that jugaad innovation can be a driver of transitional change and lead to long-term, durable impact. The thesis analyzes various cases of jugaad solutions, especially those of Indian origin; discussing the various approaches adopted by local firms and multi-national companies and the diffusion of social innovations. Furthermore, the research also looks at the dynamics between the existing regime and niches, in reference to jugaad innovation. Jugaad is a frugal, simple, sustainable and inclusive approach to innovation. It aims to create solutions (products/services/processes) that are accessible to those who are generally un(der)served or excluded and does so with minimum possible wastage. It takes advantage of existing material resources and human capital to deliver context-appropriate alternatives. Hence, the question arises: Are jugaad solutions more than ‘just good enough’? Could they in fact be better?

Jugaad smartness. Developing frugal, sustainable and inclusive solutions for cities

GUPTA, SAIBA
2017/2018

Abstract

Innovation is proven to be an absolute requirement for growth and development, but the type and motivation of innovations may differ depending on the context (socio-economic and cultural characteristics, geography, infrastructure, mindset and income levels of customers). At a time when the entire world seems to be merely paying lip service to the term ‘smart city’, it is important to understand that for a city to be considered smart, the urban system needs to be adaptable and innovative. This research talks about a specific approach to innovation - Jugaad. ‘Jugaad Smartness’ refers to a way of developing flexible, frugal, sustainable and inclusive solutions for cities. I believe this dimension is essential for cities in the face of the various contemporary challenges. ‘Jugaad’ (/dʒuːˈɡɑːd/, Hindi: जुगाड़) is a Hindi word that in everyday language refers to an innovative hack or a quick fix that fulfils the immediate need by making things work (finding solutions) from whatever resources are at hand. This ‘good enough’ or ‘will do’ attitude can lead people to view jugaad as only a temporary solution. India, which is also a focus of this thesis, has become a breeding ground for frugal and social global innovations. This research aims to illustrate that jugaad innovation can be a driver of transitional change and lead to long-term, durable impact. The thesis analyzes various cases of jugaad solutions, especially those of Indian origin; discussing the various approaches adopted by local firms and multi-national companies and the diffusion of social innovations. Furthermore, the research also looks at the dynamics between the existing regime and niches, in reference to jugaad innovation. Jugaad is a frugal, simple, sustainable and inclusive approach to innovation. It aims to create solutions (products/services/processes) that are accessible to those who are generally un(der)served or excluded and does so with minimum possible wastage. It takes advantage of existing material resources and human capital to deliver context-appropriate alternatives. Hence, the question arises: Are jugaad solutions more than ‘just good enough’? Could they in fact be better?
ARC I - Scuola di Architettura Urbanistica Ingegneria delle Costruzioni
19-dic-2018
2017/2018
Innovation is proven to be an absolute requirement for growth and development, but the type and motivation of innovations may differ depending on the context (socio-economic and cultural characteristics, geography, infrastructure, mindset and income levels of customers). At a time when the entire world seems to be merely paying lip service to the term ‘smart city’, it is important to understand that for a city to be considered smart, the urban system needs to be adaptable and innovative. This research talks about a specific approach to innovation - Jugaad. ‘Jugaad Smartness’ refers to a way of developing flexible, frugal, sustainable and inclusive solutions for cities. I believe this dimension is essential for cities in the face of the various contemporary challenges. ‘Jugaad’ (/dʒuːˈɡɑːd/, Hindi: जुगाड़) is a Hindi word that in everyday language refers to an innovative hack or a quick fix that fulfils the immediate need by making things work (finding solutions) from whatever resources are at hand. This ‘good enough’ or ‘will do’ attitude can lead people to view jugaad as only a temporary solution. India, which is also a focus of this thesis, has become a breeding ground for frugal and social global innovations. This research aims to illustrate that jugaad innovation can be a driver of transitional change and lead to long-term, durable impact. The thesis analyzes various cases of jugaad solutions, especially those of Indian origin; discussing the various approaches adopted by local firms and multi-national companies and the diffusion of social innovations. Furthermore, the research also looks at the dynamics between the existing regime and niches, in reference to jugaad innovation. Jugaad is a frugal, simple, sustainable and inclusive approach to innovation. It aims to create solutions (products/services/processes) that are accessible to those who are generally un(der)served or excluded and does so with minimum possible wastage. It takes advantage of existing material resources and human capital to deliver context-appropriate alternatives. Hence, the question arises: Are jugaad solutions more than ‘just good enough’? Could they in fact be better?
Tesi di laurea Magistrale
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10589/143767