Technological innovation in postharvest handling systems holds the key to gaining and retaining future competitive advantage for horticultural export-orientated businesses through adding value, enhancing market access or reducing losses. Innovation arises from the creative tension that develops as the gap between current reality and a desired potential future is identi"ed. This paper explores some of the principles important in the innovation process and their application in the context of an integrated postharvest engineering and physiology programme aimed at reducing the occurrence of shrivel in fruit that is induced by water loss.
E!ective innovation relies upon existence of a strong innovation culture, based upon insightful competence, creativity and appropriately located, motivated and focused technological capacity. Strong conceptualization and characterization of the system under study enhances the likelihood of developing innovative solutions and management tools suited to industry application. These features, in turn, depend upon sound knowledge in the minds of a talented team. Identi"cation of high-leverage opportunities is important for reliably achieving a good return on investment in research. High leverage occurs in the presence of strong driving force (e.g. potential to add value, cut costs, eliminate losses) relative to the level of investment required to develop and implement the innovation. Minimizing conceptual, cultural, physical and "nancial barriers to progress in both the internal and external environments avoids pitfalls to successful innovation.