Here are some (the list is far from complete) of the environmental characteristics which I think impact how innovation develops. They are not in any perticular order:
Everything Adapts
Whereas the specific are up to debate, the basic notion that everything adapts is the cornerstone to how innovation is created. (everything also adopts?)
Limited efficiency
The efficiency of an innovation is limited , mostly, to it's specific purpose. Using it to deal with issues it was not created for dilutes it's effectiveness.
Bite Back
All innovation will have unfoseen consequences due to how it interacts with environment. The greater the innovation the greater the bite back.
Change is slow
Actual change driven by innovation is slow. Due to it's lifecycle most innovation appears to create change over night, but the reality is most of this change occurs when an innovation is mature and fully integrated.
Stalled methodology
Once a methodology is fully developed it becomes resistant to change.
Pragmatic outlook
The innovation that gets developed is not necessarily the best solution, it is the easiest to implement.
Innovation is not logical
Although logic is a western innovation, innovation itself is not logical nor moral. How innovation re-acts is more akin to fire than rationality. Yet it is not irrational.
No technology is an island
All technology is interdependent of other technology. This dependency can be external or internal.
Propensity
Innovation is effected by the moral and intellectual attitudes of the society that develops it. This attitude (propensity) creates a natural inclination that effects greatly how innovation and technology is adapted. This propensity, though, is not permanent; it is malleable by the evolving moral and intellectual forces in the society.
Major innovation facilitates further innovation
Once fully integrated major innovation creates a need for further innovation. The is due mostly to the fact that innovation changes the cultural landscape which, in turn, change the needs of the culture.
Innovation is a complex system
This might seem obvious, but it stills need to be said. Innovation is made up of many concepts that combine to create innovation. There is no single track to creating innovation.
