Not-Invented-Here Syndrome

We reject useful ideas, solutions, and innovations that originated outside our group — even when they are demonstrably superior to anything we have developed internally.

• Kodak engineers invented the digital camera in 1975 — the idea was suppressed by management who feared it would cannibalize film sales. Kodak went bankrupt in 2012.
• Large pharmaceutical companies routinely dismissed external drug candidates that outperformed their internal pipeline.
• Military establishments throughout history have rejected weapons improvements proposed by outsiders, even when the tactical advantages were obvious.