What type of innovation is characterized by introducing simpler and more accessible products?

Disruptive innovation refers to the process by which a smaller company with limited resources is able to successfully challenge established businesses. This type of innovation typically introduces simpler, more affordable, and more accessible products or services that initially target the lower end of a market or create a new market segment. The key aspect of disruptive innovation is that it enables consumers who previously could not afford or access the product to do so, leading to a shift in market dynamics.

This concept is often illustrated with examples like personal computers disrupting mainframe computers or budget airlines providing travel options to consumers who could not previously afford air travel. Such innovations not only change the landscape of their industry but often lead to significant transformations in consumer behavior and industry standards.

Other types of innovation, such as incremental or sustaining innovation, focus on improving existing products or services, often enhancing features or performance for existing customers rather than making products more accessible to a broader crowd. Radical innovation denotes completely new technologies or business models, which may not necessarily prioritize simplicity or accessibility.