Hakuna Matata: can we still innovate when simplicity is supposed to be King?

Last updated on April 9, 2025
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30 Years Ago, The Lion King was Released. Mufasa, the King, took his son Simba by the paw and spoke to him about a Sustainable world—long before most political leaders. A world where Lions eat antelopes, but no more than necessary. But in such a restrained world, what about innovation? Historically, innovation has often required vast resources. So, can we still innovate in a world where we need to consume less? The answer is “Hakuna Matata!” The famous motto from The Lion King perfectly sums up the concept of frugal innovation—a philosophy that enabled Tata to produce a low-cost car, Michelin to invent an airless tyre, and Veolia to rationalise water treatment. To better understand this adaptive approach, Mary Michaelides invited Dennys Eduardo Rossetto. From SKEMA Business School’s campus in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the researcher and professor of Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation takes us on a journey through the Jungle of Innovation. He draws parallels between the paths of various companies from diverse sectors and the journeys of Scar, Simba, Timon, and Pumba… helping us innovate “with no worries”! 

Welcome to “Makes Sense?”: a leap in pop culture to explore societal challenges.  “Makes Sense?” is a podcast from SKEMA Business School, presented by Mary Michaelides.     

Find out more about Dennys Eduardo Rossetto.

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Authors

Researchers, teachers, experts... meet the people who bring our content to life.

Carole Daniel

1 article

Professor and researcher at SKEMA Business School, Globalization Academy, member of the SKEMA Centre for Sustainability Studies.

Amaury Goguel

2 articles

Professeur de Finance, Centre de recherche FAIRR, SKEMA Business School - Université Côte d'Azur, France

Salomé Beis

1 article

Etudiante du Programme Grande Ecole à SKEMA Business School.

Pierre-Xavier Meschi

2 articles

Pierre-Xavier Meschi - Professor of International Strategy at IAE Aix- Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université - Afiliated Professor at SKEMA Business School

Doriane Ahdad

1 article

Etudiante du Programme Grande Ecole (PGE), track Consilience, à SKEMA Business School. 

Saverio Favaron

1 article

Professeur assistant en Stratégie et chercheur, SKEMA Business School.

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