Innovation Balancing Enterprise Capabilities and Local Technological and Consumer Requirements

Abstract

This paper explores the development of an innovative skylight solution adapted for the Sri Lankan market, focusing on the transfer of corporate insights from temperate to tropical climates. It highlights the collaborative efforts with GOODLITE to optimize design, materials, and technology for tropical conditions. The study identifies key challenges such as high humidity, intense solar heat, and heavy monsoonal rains, and proposes solutions like the TropiLite Skylight. Overheating is an evident challenge that needs to be addressed when introducing western designed solutions from cooler climates into new markets characterized by higher solar exposure and more intense temperatures. By offering innovative solutions to address overheating, GOODLITE could unlock new market opportunities and drive growth by adapting to local climate challenges while staying true to their core values and preserving the unique qualities of their products that set them apart in a competitive global landscape. The research emphasizes the importance of modular and customizable designs to cater to diverse economic segments, ensuring affordability and functionality. This study also investigates useful strategies that could be used to introduce a foreign product into a new market by leveraging localized marketing, strategic partnerships, and product adaptations to meet regional needs. However, for long term success, the local ecosystem must also evolve, developing the necessary infrastructure, technical skills, and maintenance capabilities to support and sustain the introduction of such products. Hence, the study leverages on GOODLITE’s expertise in skylights and roof window innovation and brings forward the experience in bringing market adapted solutions to new markets to ensure the proposed solution is suitable. The study demonstrates how strategic adaptations can address local climatic and market needs, paving the way for a scalable solution that could be used in tropical regions across the world. Through entrepreneurship, the introduction of a new skylight product to a foreign market aims to address specific consumer needs by offering a climate adapted solution.