Adaptive innovation is innovation that is created to modify an existing innovation in such a way that it is better suited to accomplish the original intend.
An example of this is the current green movement. Cleaner energy is better in the long run so it makes sense to use it. Instead of creating new monoliths like nuclear energy or new types of engines, the new innovations in energy tend to use what is already there, only modifying to better fit our needs. Solar, wind energy are examples of this.
Progressive technologies (the model most used in the 20th) are game changers. The type of technology that are created before there is a need for them (automobile, computers, television). These type of innovations carry greater integration period because their usefulness takes time to discern.
