Innovation. The promise and the perils for nursing and information technology.

The concept of innovation refers to the process of bringing new ideas into use. It has been studied from the perspective of classical, organizational, and political theory; yet many aspects of the process remain unknown. Addressed here is the management of innovations, whether social, organizational, or technical in nature. The use of power, participation management, and the construction of change are offered as skills useful in the managing process. Opportunities or sources for creating innovation are reviewed, as are the principles that guide the innovation process.