Final answer:
Consumers must understand the product's functionalities, benefits, and new behaviors required by a discontinuous innovation, as well as the broader economic and environmental implications.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a new product is a discontinuous innovation, consumers must learn about several key factors. Discontinuous innovation often involves a significant change in how we live, work, or consume. Consumers need to be educated on the product's functionalities and benefits, as well as any necessary new behaviors or adaptations that come with the product.
Companies that introduce such innovations usually have a temporary competitive advantage, as they can temporarily earn above-normal profits before competitors catch up. For the consumer, understanding the innovation means recognizing how it impacts the environment, economy, and personal use. If the innovation leads to more durable goods and reduced consumption, it might also signal a shift towards sustainability and quality over disposability. Therefore, learning about these innovations involves understanding not only how to use the new product but also the broader economic and environmental implications it carries. Being informed enables consumers to make better decisions in a market driven by relentless pursuit of new technologies.