Discontinuous innovation, also known as radical or disruptive innovation, refers to:

Discontinuous innovation, also known as radical or disruptive innovation, refers to a new development that dramatically changes the way things are done. This type of innovation often disrupts existing markets or creates entirely new ones. It involves a significant departure from existing practices and often requires consumers to learn new ways of doing things.

Here are the steps to understand this concept:

1. Recognize the term: Discontinuous innovation is also known as radical or disruptive innovation. These terms are often used interchangeably.

2. Understand the meaning: This type of innovation refers to a dramatic change in the way things are done. It's not a simple improvement or a slight change, but a significant departure from the existing practices.

3. Understand the impact: Discontinuous innovation often disrupts existing markets or creates entirely new ones. This means it can change the competitive landscape of industries and can lead to the decline of established companies that fail to adapt.

4. Understand the consumer's role: This type of innovation often requires consumers to learn new ways of doing things. This could involve using new technologies, adopting new behaviors, or changing their expectations.

5. Examples: The invention of the internet, smartphones, and electric cars are examples of discontinuous innovation. They have significantly changed the way we communicate, access information, and travel, disrupting existing markets and creating new ones.