Ontology for Innovation

Document Namespace: http://purl.org/innovation/ns#

Last Updated:
2012-07-22
Latest version:
Version 1.0.0, 22 July 2012: http://purl.org/innovation/ns#
Authors:
William Greenly admin@lexicater.co.uk
Contributors:
Dr Dirk Weirich
Mark Birbeck

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. This copyright applies to the Ontology for Innovation and accompanying documentation in RDF. Regarding underlying technology, this ontology uses W3C's RDF technology, an open Web standard that can be freely used by anyone.

This document also reuses the FOAF specification CSS stylesheet.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The exact definition of innovation is debatable both in the academic and practical sense. Neither an art or a science, its core function is to meet the wants and needs of others. It should be seen as separate but invaluable to enterprise, being concerned more with the application rather than the capitalisation of an idea.

About this Ontology

One key use case for this ontology is to faciliate the matching of needs and innovations. This document does not provide specific guidelines or formal rules for achieving this. However the following concepts might be factors in deciding when an innovation qualifies as fulfilling a need. This can also incrementally be applied to qualify innovations as solutions to problems (and hence qualify as fulfilling a need).

Usage || Improvement || Benefit matches Problem
Usage || Improvement || Benefit matches Symptom

As already stated, there are no formal rules for matching by Improvements or Usage. However, it should be noted that Symptoms, Benefits and Development Stages have all been primed to be modelled using SKOS. There are individuals that pre-define schemes and members. These should be used and extended accordingly. It is encouraged that schemes and concepts ulitmately become linked with SKOS terms defining the relationship between such instances.

Acknowledgements

The author of the document takes no credit and acknowledges that credit is attributable entirely by collective contribution. In particular, in addition to those formal contributions, the author would like to thank the National Innovation Centre and related affiliates, along with all those innovators that took the time to share insight and knowledge.

This document also reuses the FOAF specification CSS stylesheet.

Examples

Describing an innovation

 

@prefix gr:  <http://purl.org/goodrelations/v1#> .
@prefix foaf:  <http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/> .
@prefix rdf: <http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#>.
@prefix dc: <http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/>.
@prefix innovation: <http://purl.org/innovation/ns#>.
@prefix ex: <http://www.example.com/>.
@prefix dbpedia: <http://dbpedia.org/resource/>.
@prefix ncicb: <http://ncicb.nci.nih.gov/xml/owl/EVS/Thesaurus.owl#>.
@prefix rdfs: <http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#>.
@prefix skos: <http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#>.


ex:glucose-monitor dc:title "Non invasive testing of blood glucose levels";
		   innovation:embodiedBy ex:lein-2000-glucose-meter;
		   innovation:hasImprovement <uuid:aaaaaaaa>;
		   innovation:hasBenefit ncicb:reduced-waiting-times;
		   innovation:hasDevelopmentStage innovation:d5-distributing-the-product;
		   innovation:causesDisruption <uuid:cccccccc>.

ex:lein-2000-glucose-meter dc:title "The Lein 2000 blood glucose meter";
	     rdf:type gr:ProductOrServiceModel;
	     rdf:type innovation:Embodiment;
	     rdf:type ncicb:Diagnostic_Therapeutic_and_Research_Equipment;
	     innovation:hasUsage <uuid:bbbbbbbb>.

<uuid:bbbbbbbb> innovation:usedBy dbpedia:Physician;
		 innovation:usedOn ex:Diabetics.

<uuid:aaaaaaaa> innovation:improvesEffectivenessOf dbpedia:Medical_Test.

<uuid:cccccccc> rdf:type innovation:Disruption;
		 innovation:deprecates ncicb:Blood_Glucose_Blood_Test.

ncicb:reduced-waiting-times rdf:type skos:Concept;
		 rdfs:label "Reduced waiting times";
		 skos:inScheme innovation:health-benefits.

Overview

conceptual diagram of ontology

A-Z of Terms

Classes: | Benefit | DevelopmentStage | Disruption | Embodiment | Improvement | Innovation | Innovator | Need | Problem | Symptom | Usage |

Object Properties: | affects | buildsOn | causesDisruption | deprecates | developedBy | embodiedBy | embodies | enabledBy | enables | fulfils | hasBenefit | hasDeveloped | hasImprovement | hasSympton | hasUsage | improves | improvesEffectivenessOf | improvesEfficiencyOf | improvesQualityOf | improvesValueOf | isDeprecatedBy | isDeveloping | isLiberatedBy | liberates | manifestedBy | manifests | solves | usedBy | usedOn | usedWith |

Datatype Properties: | expectedMarketEntry |

Individuals: | d1-defining-the-need | d2-designing-the-solution | d3-developing-the-opportunity | d4-demonstrating-the-benefits | d5-distributing-the-product | economic-benefits | economic-symptoms | health-benefits | health-symptoms | legal-benefits | legal-symptoms | scientific-benefits | scientific-symptoms | social-benefits | social-symptoms | stages-of-innovation |

Classes

Class: Benefit

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Benefit
Status: stable
Range of: hasBenefit
Super Classes: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#Concept
Disjoint Classes: Disruption Symptom Usage Innovation Problem Embodiment Improvement DevelopmentStage Need

A benefit to something or someone.

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Class: DevelopmentStage

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#DevelopmentStage
Status: stable
Super Classes: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#Concept
Disjoint Classes: Disruption DevelopmentStage Embodiment Symptom Innovation Need Problem Benefit Usage Improvement

A stage of development. An example set of development stages, but equally those used to describe software lifecylces, music production lifecylces or anything creative can be used. e.g Define a need, Design a solution, Develop the opportunity, Demonstrate the benefits, Distribute the product. (taken from the 5 D's defined by the National Innovation Centre, 2011)

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Class: Disruption

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Disruption
Status: stable
Domain of: deprecates liberates
Disjoint Classes: Embodiment Problem Innovation Need DevelopmentStage Symptom Benefit Usage Improvement

Disruption caused by innovation. Typically this due to the liberation of deprecation of something.

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Class: Embodiment

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Embodiment
Status: stable
Domain of: hasUsage embodies
Disjoint Classes: Disruption Problem Innovation Need DevelopmentStage Symptom Benefit Usage Improvement

The physical or tangible manfestiation of some idea, invention or innovation. A device, process, service, or product that emobodies some idea, invention or innovation. e.g The Firefox web browser is an embodiment of the innovation HTTP e.g Amoxicillin is an embodiment of the innovation Anibiotic

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Class: Improvement

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Improvement
Status: stable
Domain of: improves improvesValueOf improvesEfficiencyOf improvesEffectivenessOf improvesQualityOf
Disjoint Classes: Disruption DevelopmentStage Symptom Need Problem Embodiment Usage Benefit Innovation

The class of things that are improvements to something i.e making something better than it was. Specific improvements include those that provide improved efficiency, effectiveness, value or quality.

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Class: Innovation

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Innovation
Status: stable
Domain of: buildsOn embodiedBy fulfils hasImprovement enabledBy solves developedBy expectedMarketEntry hasBenefit enables
Disjoint Classes: Disruption Improvement Benefit Usage DevelopmentStage Embodiment Symptom Need Problem

The innovation is a conceptual entity, concerned with the idea. Its application comes in the form of benefits and improvements and the things that embody it.

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Class: Innovator

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Innovator
Status: stable
Domain of: isDeveloping hasDeveloped
Super Classes: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/Agent

A person, groups or organisation that can think out of the box, show great expertise or most importantly can find solutions to problems and meet the wants and needs of others.

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Class: Need

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Need
Status: stable
Domain of: manifestedBy
Disjoint Classes: Disruption Disruption Problem Embodiment Improvement Usage DevelopmentStage Benefit Symptom Innovation

A need of a particular group or indivual of or for something that is lacking or requires improvement or problem solving.

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Class: Problem

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Problem
Status: stable
Domain of: affects hasSympton manifests
Disjoint Classes: Disruption Need Benefit DevelopmentStage Innovation Usage Improvement Symptom Embodiment

The manifestation of a need. This is represented by a set of symptoms (general phenoma) affecting groups of things.

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Class: Symptom

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Symptom
Status: stable
Super Classes: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#Concept
Disjoint Classes: Disruption Embodiment DevelopmentStage Improvement Problem Need Innovation Usage Benefit

A symptom of a problem. This class is intended to comprise of SKOS concepts belonging to different schemes.

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Class: Usage

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Usage
Status: stable
Domain of: usedBy usedOn usedWith
Disjoint Classes: Disruption Symptom Problem Embodiment Innovation Improvement Need DevelopmentStage Benefit

The application or usage of a device or process. Typically this is described using the properties usedBy, usedOn and usedWith

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Object Properties

Property: affects

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#affects
Status: stable
Domain: Problem

The group of things affected by a problem. Again it is recommended that a SKOS model is used for such instances.

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Property: buildsOn

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#buildsOn
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Innovation

It is common for one innovation to build upon others. It doesn't neccessarily denote or infer that the subject has improvements on the object or is enabled by the object.

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Property: causesDisruption

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#causesDisruption
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Disruption

Innovation is always disruptive, either directly or indirectly. Many innovators risk livelihood and reputation in the pursuit of innovation, many organisations capitalise on innovation, many organisations fail as a result.

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Property: deprecates

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#deprecates
Status: stable
Domain: Disruption

Innovation will invariabily deprecate the need for an existing products or services, but not necessarily related products or services e.g the automobile deprecates the horse and carriage, but not necessarily the organisations that provide a carriage service.

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Property: developedBy

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#developedBy
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Innovator
Super Properties: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/maker

Relates an innovation to the innovator or innovators who developed it. Innovators are generally groups, organisations or people

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Property: embodiedBy

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#embodiedBy
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Embodiment
Inverse Properties: embodies

Relates an innovation to a device, process, product, or service (make, model or brand) that embodies the innovation e.g The innovation HTTP is emobdied by the browser Firefox e.g The innovation anibiotic is embodied by Amoxicillin

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Property: embodies

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#embodies
Status: stable
Domain: Embodiment
Range: Innovation

Relates a device, process, product, or service (make, model or brand) to an innovation that it embodies e.g The Firefox web browser embodies the innovation HTTP e.g Amoxicillin embodies the innovation Anibiotic

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Property: enabledBy

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#enabledBy
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Innovation

Where one innovation is enabled by another innovation or innovations. It is common for innovators to have a solution to a problem that is dependent on something else not yet known, discovered, invented or innovated.

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Property: enables

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#enables
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Innovation
Inverse Properties: enabledBy

Where one innovation enables a different innovation or innovations.

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Property: fulfils

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#fulfils
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Need

The applicabiity of an idea can be tested by its ability to fulfil a need. This property therefore links an innovation to a need.

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Property: hasBenefit

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#hasBenefit
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Benefit

Relates an innovation to some benefit or benefts of that innovation.

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Property: hasDeveloped

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#hasDeveloped
Status: stable
Domain: Innovator
Range: Innovation
Super Properties: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/made

Relates innovator to the innovations they have developed. Innovators can be groups, organisations or people.

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Property: hasDevelopmentStage

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#hasDevelopmentStage
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: DevelopmentStage

Relates innovator to the innovations they have developed. Innovators can be groups, organisations or people.

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Property: hasImprovement

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#hasImprovement
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Improvement

Links an innovation to some improvement or improvements it provides.

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Property: hasSympton

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#hasSympton
Status: stable
Domain: Problem
Range: http://purl.org/innovation/ns#Sympton

A symptom of a problem. It is recommended that Symptoms follow a SKOS hierarchy.

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Property: hasUsage

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#hasUsage
Status: stable
Domain: Embodiment
Range: Usage

The problem or need of some individual, group or organisation.

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Property: improves

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#improves
Status: stable
Domain: Improvement
Sub Properties: improvesValueOf improvesQualityOf improvesEfficiencyOf improvesEffectivenessOf

Links an improvement to something it improves.

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Property: improvesEffectivenessOf

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#improvesEffectivenessOf
Status: stable
Domain: Improvement
Super Properties: improves

An improvement to the effectiveness of the object i.e effectuates an increase in the desired result. e.g the combustion engine improves the effectiveness of a vehicle. Without consideration for cost of increase i.e does not necessitate an improvement in efficiciency.

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Property: improvesEfficiencyOf

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#improvesEfficiencyOf
Status: stable
Domain: Improvement
Super Properties: improves

An improvement to the efficiency of the of the object. i.e reducing the cost, waste, time or skill required to produce the desired (same) results e.g Compared to other modes of transportation, a bicycle is efficient because it enables people to get to their destination with less effort.

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Property: improvesQualityOf

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#improvesQualityOf
Status: stable
Domain: Improvement
Super Properties: improves

An improvement to the reliability, durability, accessibility, usability or some other non-functional aspect of the object.

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Property: improvesValueOf

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#improvesValueOf
Status: stable
Domain: Improvement
Super Properties: improves

An improvement to the worth or value of the object i.e as a result of the improvement something becomes more valuable or worthwhile. e.g: Nuclear Fission improves the value of Uranium. HTTP improves the value of the internet.

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Property: isDeprecatedBy

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#isDeprecatedBy
Status: stable
Range: Disruption

The agents or things deprecated by a particular innovation.

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Property: isDeveloping

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#isDeveloping
Status: stable
Domain: Innovator
Range: Innovation

Relates an innovator to a current innovation that they are developing.

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Property: isLiberatedBy

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#isLiberatedBy
Status: stable
Range: Disruption

The agents or things liberated by a particular innovation.

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Property: liberates

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#liberates
Status: stable
Domain: Disruption

Innovation has the ability to free or liberate some kind of repressed, constrained or untapped potential.

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Property: manifestedBy

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#manifestedBy
Status: stable
Domain: Need
Range: Problem
Inverse Properties: manifests

The problems that manifest a particular need. A need is generally described by its problems.

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Property: manifests

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#manifests
Status: stable
Domain: Problem
Range: Need

The problem that manifests a need. The problem defines the characteristics of the need.

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Property: solves

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#solves
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: Problem

Connects an innovation to the problems it solves. Generally speaking, innovations that solve a need do so by solving similar problems associated with the need.

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Property: usedBy

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#usedBy
Status: stable
Domain: Usage

Relates a usage node to the thing that makes use of the device or process i.e the activator or implementor.

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Property: usedOn

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#usedOn
Status: stable
Domain: Usage

Defines the recipient use.

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Property: usedWith

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#usedWith
Status: stable
Domain: Usage

Where something is used in conjunction with something else.

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Datatype Properties

Property: expectedMarketEntry

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#expectedMarketEntry
Status: stable
Domain: Innovation
Range: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime

The expected date of introduction into the market. Mass production, commoditisation or availability for sale.

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Individuals

Individual: d1-defining-the-need

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#d1-defining-the-need
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing DevelopmentStage

A solution will have the best the chance of success if there is a clear and accurate understanding of the users needs.

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Individual: d2-designing-the-solution

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#d2-designing-the-solution
Status: stable
Type of: DevelopmentStage http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing

A well designed innovation is more likely to succeed. Looking at your users needs, work out how your innovatiion can meet them. Indentify the benefits, considering the users or recipients that will gain from your innovation. Outline final designs for your innovation and how they will meet the users’ needs. Decide when to stop designing and, if appropriate, start developing the idea.

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Individual: d3-developing-the-opportunity

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#d3-developing-the-opportunity
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing DevelopmentStage

Develop a prototype allowing for some ‘user preference’ analysis which can be fed back to the designers.

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Individual: d4-demonstrating-the-benefits

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#d4-demonstrating-the-benefits
Status: stable
Type of: DevelopmentStage http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing

Test and demonstrate both the functional and non-functional qualities of the solution, emphasising the beneftis to the user.

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Individual: d5-distributing-the-product

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#d5-distributing-the-product
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing DevelopmentStage

Execute marketing plan and conducting key post-launch checks.

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Individual: economic-benefits

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#economic-benefits
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#ConceptScheme http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing

Those benefits that are of an economic nature.

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Individual: economic-symptoms

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#economic-symptoms
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#ConceptScheme

Those symptons that are of an economic nature.

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Individual: health-benefits

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#health-benefits
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#ConceptScheme

Those benefits that are of a health related nature.

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Individual: health-symptoms

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#health-symptoms
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#ConceptScheme http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing

Those symptons that are health related.

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Individual: scientific-benefits

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#scientific-benefits
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#ConceptScheme

Those benefits that are of a scientific nature.

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Individual: scientific-symptoms

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#scientific-symptoms
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#ConceptScheme

Those symptons that are of a scientific nature.

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Individual: social-benefits

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#social-benefits
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#ConceptScheme

Those benefits that are of a social nature.

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Individual: social-symptoms

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#social-symptoms
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#ConceptScheme http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing

Those symptons that are of a social nature.

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Individual: stages-of-innovation

http://purl.org/innovation/ns#stages-of-innovation
Status: stable
Type of: http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Thing http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#ConceptScheme

A scheme consisting of the the stages of development, comprised by the National Innovation Centre. It could be inferred by the asserted facts about an innovation what stage it qualifies for e.g if it is asserted that an innovation fulfils a particular need, then it qualifies as beingat least at development stage 1 (defining the need).

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