The Theory and Practice of Innovation Policy: An International Research Handbook

by Smits, Ruud E.; Kuhlmann, Stefan; Shapira, Philip

• ISBN13: 9781849804448
• ISBN10: 1849804443
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-05-12
• Publisher: Edward Elgar Pub

Summary

'This volume is a valuable contribution to the growing literature on innovation systems and innovation policy. It gives the reader a strong grip on the latest thinking in the field on both sides of the Atlantic, while at the same time providing a solid grounding in the classics. I will certainly recommend these essays highly to my colleagues and assign them to my students.' David M. Hart, George Mason University, US 'This Handbook is a most helpful guide both for scholars and for experts in charge of innovation policy. It takes a systemic approach, recognising the importance of learning processes including policy learning. It documents the close interaction between analytical work on innovation and the formulation and implementation of innovation policy. The list of authors includes leading experts from Europe and the US, and the topics span from research policy and intellectual property rights to military innovation and technology assessment. The introduction and the final chapter bring together the contributions in a common framework and raise pertinent questions about the role of national innovation policy strategies in relation to globalisation and the current financial crisis.' Bengt-Åke Lundvall, Aalborg University, Denmark This comprehensive Handbook explores the interactions between the practice, policy, and theory of innovation. The goal is twofold: to increase insight into this dynamic process, searching for options to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of both policy and innovative practice, and to identify conceptual or empirical lacunae and questions that can guide future research. The Handbook is a joint project from 24 prominent scholars in the field, and although each chapter reveals the insights of its respective authors, two overarching theoretical perspectives provide unique coherence and consistency throughout. This original reference work will not only provide valuable insights for scholars and students on innovation studies, but also to policymakers and practitioners.