But they hurry to add that breakthrough innovation, while important, is only a small part of the software economy.

Q. So would you say the chief executive has an important role in making breakthrough innovation possible?

Half of the campaign goal is intended for the endowment to provide long-lasting support for faculty, students and breakthrough innovations.

But for several years those kinds of breakthrough innovations have not come out of Kraft's pantry.

This breakthrough innovation allowed the mass production of marshmallows in a cost-efficient manner.

Another suggestion is for the use of cross-functional teams to achieve breakthrough innovations.

Innovation by businesses is achieved in many ways, with much attention now given to formal research and development (R&D) for "breakthrough innovations."

The lead user method focuses on idea generation based on leading users to develop breakthrough innovations.

Q. Are you suggesting that breakthrough innovations are not just trial and error?

Overall, without ignoring breakthrough innovations, a more methodical approach is recommended.