Discussion of Results, Implications, and Limitations

Abstract

As a necessary prerequisite for any investigation, this study initially set out to establish – or prove false – the existence of lead markets within the context of age-based innovations. While lead markets may have implications on a larger economic scale, a demonstration of lead market existence required a nearly microscopic approach: International adoption and diffusion patterns needed to be understood not only at the level of a product or service category but – even more specific – on the level of various innovation designs potentially competing within that category.