Not Invented Here Bias
From Design+Encyclopedia, the free encyclopedia on good design, art, architecture, creativity, engineering and innovation.
Not Invented Here Bias
Not Invented Here Bias is a cognitive bias that can be observed in individuals or organizations, where they tend to reject ideas or products from outside sources, simply because they were not created in-house. This bias is often driven by a sense of pride or ownership of ideas, products, or processes that have been developed internally. It can also be a result of a fear of change or a lack of trust in external sources. Not Invented Here Bias can lead to missed opportunities for growth and innovation, as well as a resistance to change that can ultimately harm an organization's competitiveness. This bias can manifest in various ways, such as a reluctance to collaborate with external partners, a preference for internal solutions even when they are not the best fit, or a tendency to dismiss external ideas without proper consideration. Not Invented Here Bias can also be reinforced by organizational culture, where employees are rewarded for internal contributions and discouraged from seeking external input. To overcome Not Invented Here Bias, individuals and organizations need to recognize the potential benefits of external ideas and solutions, and actively seek out external perspectives. This can involve building partnerships with external organizations, engaging in open innovation practices, and fostering a culture of collaboration and openness to new ideas.
cognitive bias, rejection of external ideas, organizational culture, missed opportunities, collaboration
CITATION : "Mark Hall. 'Not Invented Here Bias.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/not-invented-here-bias?E=361097 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"
Not Invented Here Bias
Not Invented Here Bias is a cognitive bias where people tend to reject ideas or products from outside sources because they believe that their own ideas or products are superior. It is a way of thinking where people prefer their own ideas or products over those from other sources. This bias can lead to people avoiding new ideas and even overlooking potentially beneficial solutions for their problems.
Not Invented Here Bias, Cognitive Biases, Logical Fallacies, Innovation Resistance
Not Invented Here Bias on Design+Encyclopedia
We have 220,822 Topics and 478,829 Entries and Not Invented Here Bias has 2 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Not Invented Here Bias today.