Problem Case Scenario

Human civilisation has grown too smart and too rapidly for its own good. Urbanisation and industrialisation, for example, have shrunk natural vegetation and wild animal habitat. Relentless use of fossil fuels for energy production and transportation have led to increased carbon emission. Excessive waste from modern living are causing enormous environmental pollution. All of these create a vicious cycle of environmental damage that leads to global warming, unhealthy air and water resources and unstable weather conditions. Consider land-scarce and highly urbanised Singapore. With a resident population of some five million people, the state generates some seven million tonnes of solid waste a year. There is low level of recycling in the country. Most trash is collected, incinerated, and dumped in a solitary landfill on Pulau Semakau island. Based on current projections, the landfill will be completely full by 2035, which is no more than just 15 years from now!.

Imagine that all your group members are founders of a small business start-up with a social enterprise mission. You are aware of the waste problem in Singapore. However, you also see it as a good opportunity to innovate new products and services that can advance your business interests while addressing social issues and concerns. Your innovation must be a sustainable business without ongoing Government funding or support, except for initial start-up capital from potential investors for the first two years.

Question 1

(a) Suggest a practical service or product innovation for the case scenario described above. Describe your product or service innovation. Examine why it can be considered an innovation. (20 marks)

(b) Describe any three (3) options for protecting an innovation. Debate the most suitable option for protecting your product or service innovation discussed in question 1(a). (20 marks)