The Boy Scout Who Brought us the Age of Disruption

The Boy Scout Who Brought us the Age of Disruption

June 17, 2026 · 41 min · Season 1 · Episode 31

About this episode

The episode explores Clayton M Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation and its impact on established corporations.

Why have so many tiny start-ups come from nowhere to take down huge established corporations? Is it because the incumbents were dumb? Harvard Business School professor Clayton M Christensen decided to explore these David versus Goliath battles - and came up with a theory to explain why seemingly solid businesses suddenly lose market share... disruptive innovation.   In his hit book, The Innovator's Dilemma , Christensen explored how flawed products from small companies can suddenly catch on, disrupt the market and steal customers from established corporations. Christensen - a life-long Boy Scout - was an odd champion for "disruptive innovation", but his ideas have totally changed the business landscape. Write to us at  businesshistory@pushkin.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Harvard Business School

Books & works: The Innovator's Dilemma

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