Florian Denker explores the role of an individual's domain knowledge for the proficient evaluation of early-stage new product ideas in the front-end of innovation. The results of his study show that in order to ensure an effective evaluation, evaluators of early-stage new product ideas should have comprehensive knowledge of consumers' needs and wants, as well as distinct knowledge about the opportunities and limits of available technologies in the respective domain. In this context, the results show that not only firm-internal experts can have this knowledge. Users and, in particular, so-called "lead users" (i.e. users who are ahead of the majority on major market trends and innovations), could also be suitable for effectively evaluating early-stage new product ideas.

This book presents novel communication technology solutions to address the effects of climate change and climate variability on agriculture, with a particular focus on those that increase agricultural production. It discusses decision support and early warning systems for agriculture; information technology (IT) supporting sustainable water management and land cover dynamics; predictive of crop production models; and software applications for reducing the effects of diseases and pests on crops. Further topics include the real-time monitoring of weather conditions and water quality, as well as food security issues. Featuring the proceedings of the International Conference of ICT for Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change (AACC'17), held on November 22-24, 2017, in Popayan, Colombia, the book represents a timely report and a source of new ideas and solutions for both researchers and practitioners active in the agricultural sector around the globe.

This book offers comprehensive examination of research on the relevance of individual behavior and technology to financial innovations. The chapters cover current topics in finance including integrated reporting, people finance, crowdfunding, and corporate networks. It provides readers with an organized starting point to explore individual behaviors and new technologies used in financial innovations. The explicit and growing speed of the spread of new technologies has hastened the emergence of innovation in the field of finance. Topics like the Internet of Things, semantic computing and big data finance are motivating the construction of financial tools that translate into new financial mechanisms. This book strives help readers better understand the dynamic of the changes in financial systems and the proliferation of financial products. Individual Behaviors and Technologies for Financial Innovations is organized in 16 chapters, organized in three parts. Part I has eight chapters that review the research on gender differences in attitudes about risk and propensity to purchase automobile insurance, financial literacy models for college students, wellness and attitude of university students in the use of credit cards, impact of programs income distribution and propensity to remain in employment, financial literacy and propensity to resort to informal financing channels, risk behavior in the use of credit cards by students. Part II reviews the research on financing for startups and SMEs, exploring funding through crowdfunding platform, operating credit unions, and using networks of friends to finance small businesses outside the domestic market. The four chapters of Part III describe contexts of financial innovation in listed companies, including society's demands on their behavior - we discuss motivations for companies to participate in corporate sustainability indexes, corporate performance through their profile of socially responsible investments, influence of networks of social relations in the formation of boards, and management of companies, and also the precariousness of financial decisions in large companies, as well as the role of the internet in corporate communication with the market.

The book offers new theoretical perspectives on innovation, analyzes innovation processes in diverse innovation fields, and presents case studies that reflect the diversity of innovations fields. To what extent and in what sense does innovation characterize our societies today? Innovations are no longer limited to the economic sphere; we find them in almost all areas of society today. Diverse actors generate innovations in different, increasingly reflexive ways. New concepts, practices, and institutional forms such as open source, crowdfunding, or citizen panels expand the spectrum.

This book explores the role of cities and the urban-rural linkages in spurring innovation embedded in spatial planning, strategic and economic planning, and decision support systems. In particular, the contributions examine the complexity of the current transitional phase towards achieving smart, inclusive and sustainable growth, and investigate the post-2020 UE cohesion policy.The main topics include: Innovation dynamics and smart cities; Urban regeneration - community-led and PPP; Inland and urban area development; Mobility, accessibility, infrastructures; Heritage, landscape and Identity; and Risk management, Environment and Energy.The book includes a selection of articles accepted for presentation and discussion at the 3rd International Symposium New Metropolitan Perspectives (ISTH2020), held at the University of Reggio Calabria, Italy on 22-25 May 2018. The symposium, which addressed the challenge of local knowledge and innovation dynamics towards territory attractiveness, hosted the final event of the MAPS-LED project under Horizon2020 - MSCA RISE.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the First International Conference on Advanced Informatics for Computing Research , ICAICR 2017, held in Jalandhar, India, in March 2017. The 32 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 312 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on computing methodologies, information systems, security and privacy, network services.

The book explores different approaches towards the 'entrepreneurial university' paradigm, explores channels and mechanism used by universities to implement the paradigm and contributes to the public discussion on the impact of commercialization on university research and knowledge. It argues that different types of university-industry interaction may have repercussions even on funding of basic research if an appropriate balance is ensured between the two. University activities - both research and education in all forms - should provide economic and social relevance directed towards open science and open innovation. This book adds value to current knowledge by presenting both a conceptual framework and case studies which describe different contexts.

What has gone wrong in Japan that has led to innovation crisis? Prof. Eiichi Yamaguchi has been committed to answer this question, and his quest has spanned several years and academic disciplines. Initially it appeared as if it had no context, but when he put the pieces together, he realized that it was actually one story. This book is a summary of his research over the last 20 years, especially after he moved out of the field of physics, to which he had devoted 21 years. He felt that it was essential for him to do his bit to save this sinking ship, or it would be disrespectful to the future generation. The book integrates his research on innovation policy, innovation theory, and trans-science. It begins with a detailed story of the innovation of blue LEDs, for which three Japanese scientists received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014. It describes the current innovation and science crises in Japan and presents evidence that the strong international competitiveness of science-based industries in the United States is a result of the invention of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) system. It discusses a new theory of innovation structures, showing the error in Clayton M. Christensen's argument of "disruptive innovation." It also proposes a new concept for "paradigm disruptive innovation," emphasizing that abduction and transilience are essential factors for accomplishing it and that their decline has led to the innovation crisis in Japan. Finally, it analyzes the future vision of the innovation ecosystem, which promotes abduction and transilience, for scientists to develop new science-based industries.

This book offers new perspectives through which to observe and interpret mega-events. Using the specific case studies of World's Fairs, Di Vita and Morandi present a report of the Milan Expo 2015 and its trans-scalar legacies. While the event and post-event have been affected by the world crisis, the locations of exhibition areas have greatly expanded, encompassing regional as well as post-metropolitan spaces. The two main aims of comparing Milan to previous expos such as Lisbon 1998, Zaragoza 2008 and Shanghai 2010, were to demonstrate the contribution of the 2015 World's Fair to the urban innovation process and to the debate surrounding a new urban agenda; as well as to examine empirically and theoretically the international discussion regarding the growth of regional and macro-regional scales of contemporary cities in order to offer suggestions for future urban agendas through mega-events. This book will be of great value to students, researchers and policy makers in the area of urban planning and the urban studies more broadly, geography and spatial politics.

This volume presents a state-of-the-art overview of the rapidly evolving field of agribusiness, highlighting the most current issues, concepts, trends and themes in research, practice and policy. With a particular emphasis on technology, product and process innovation, the authors cover a wide array of topics relating to such issues as research and development, technology transfer and patents and licensing, with particular respect to the roles of academic institutions, private organizations and public agencies in generating and disseminating knowledge. Featuring case studies of innovative initiatives across the industry, this book will appeal to researchers, business leaders, university administrators and policymakers concerned with the multi-faceted implications of this dynamic and controversial sector.

Digitalization is changing nearly everything. This compendium highlights a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and technologies about digitalization in industrial environments, using the Industrial Internet of Things, Digital Twins and data-driven decision-making approaches including Artificial Intelligence.The overview of industrial enterprise platforms and the consideration of future trends gives a fundamental idea of concepts and strategies, how to get started and about the required changes of business models.

The very foundation of the economy is changing. Across the United States, primary and secondary sector industries are no longer as viable as they once were - because the particular businesses are no longer profitable, because the underlying resources are no longer as plentiful or desirable, or because human activity is not essential to various aspects of an industry's operations. As economies evolve from traditional industrial resources, such as mining and manufacturing, to 'new' resources, such as information and content, innovation and entrepreneurship are key. Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Evolving Economies examines the role of law in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in communities whose economies are in transition. It contains a collection of works from different perspectives and tackles tough questions regarding policy and practice, including how support for entrepreneurship can be translated into policy. Additionally, this collection addresses more concrete questions of practical efficacy, including measures of how successful or unsuccessful legal efforts to incentivize entrepreneurship may be, through intellectual property law and otherwise, and what might define success to begin with. Expertly researched and widely accessible, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Evolving Economies will appeal especially to students and scholars of innovation, law, and entrepreneurship. Contributors: M.M. Carpenter, S. Ghosh, E.J. Gouvin, S.D. Jamar, A.L. Johnson, B. Krumm, P.H. Lee, M.J. Madison, L. Mtima, S.M. O'Connor, M. Risch, F.G. Snyder, E. Townsend Gard

The notion of inverse infrastructures - that is, bottom-up, user-driven, self-organizing networks - gives us a fresh perspective on the omnipresent infrastructure systems that support our economy and structure our way of living. This fascinating book considers the emergence of inverse infrastructures as a new phenomenon that will have a vast impact on consumers, industry and policy. Using a wide range of theories, from institutional economics to complex adaptive systems, it explores the mechanisms and incentives for the rise of these alternatives to large-scale infrastructures and points to their potential disruptive effect on conventional markets and governance models. The approach in this unique book challenges the existing literature on infrastructures, which primarily focuses on large technical systems (LTSs). Rather, this study highlights unprecedented developments, analyzing the differences and complementarity between LTSs and inverse infrastructures. It illustrates that even large infrastructures need not require a blueprint design or top-down and centralized control to run efficiently. The expert contributors draw upon a captivating and wide ranging set of case studies, including: Wikipedia; wind energy cooperatives, Wireless Leiden, rural telecom in developing countries, local radio and television distribution, the collection of waste paper, syngas infrastructure design, and e-government projects. The book discusses the feasibility of temporary infrastructures and unheard of ownership arrangements, and concludes that inverse networks represent a critical transformation of the accepted model of infrastructure development. Laying a foundation for future research in the area and suggesting ways to bridge the gap between policy and practice, this path-breaking book will prove a riveting read for academics, students and researchers across a number of disciplines including economics, business, management, innovation, and technology and policy studies. Contributors: A. Correlje, C. Davis, F. de Jong, T.M. Egyedi, P.M. Herder, M. Janssen, L.M. Kamp, R. Kunneke, D.C. Mehos, K. Mulder, I. Nikolic, T. Schuetze, R.M. Stikkelman, J. Ubacht, J. van den Berg, E. van Oost, A.F. van Veenstra, S. Verhaegh, J. Vrancken, W.G. Vree, T. Weijers, R. Westerveld

There has been a great deal of discussion on the knowledge economy, but much of this has been more a matter of rhetoric than serious analysis. This book is a pioneering effort to address this gap, using a range of methods and investigating knowledge-intensive service activities (KISA) in many different sectors. The expert contributors highlight the changes that are occurring in the labor force and the organization of work, as well as in the competences and combinations of knowledge demanded in contemporary occupations. They provide corporate managers and policymakers with much needed data and analysis regarding the implications of knowledge-intensive service systems and the skills required for innovation within these sectors. By exploring these systems in both traditional and services industries, the editors point to important areas of action for improving business practices and human capital development that are key for business and employment development. This unique book deploys rich empirical material that will help put KISA onto the map for researchers, policy makers, policy analysts and practitioners across many disciplines and professions including human resources, training and skills development, and procurement. Providing in-depth and theoretically informed studies, whilst drawing on cases from many sectors and countries, this compendium will prove essential for students of business management and human resource management. Contributors: J. Albors-Garrigos, M. Broch, J.L. Hervas-Oliver, P. Marquez Rodriguez, C. Martinez-Fernandez, L.E. Martinez-Solano, I. Miles, T. Potts, S. Sharpe, T. Weyman, H. Wiig Aslesen

Providing a global survey of public policies and programs for building national and regional ecosystems of science and technology based entrepreneurial development, this book provides a unique analysis of the advances, over the last several decades and in light of the experiential knowledge gained in various parts of the world, in the understanding of innovation systems in the pursuit of developing these economies. Presenting nineteen case studies of diverse developed and emerging economy nations and their regions, more than thirty expert authors describe an array of policy and program mechanisms that have been implemented over the years. The in-depth analysis of the worldwide efforts featured in this volume provide the reader with several valuable lessons. There are clear indications of a trend toward better cohesion and coordination of national efforts to improve innovation but also a trend toward the broadening of regional agendas to address technology, talent, capital, innovation infrastructure and entrepreneurship culture issues - considered essential for knowledge based entrepreneurial growth. The book also offers a unique treatment of grassroots level programmatic aspects of these efforts, including some novel entrepreneurial mechanisms employed for policy implementation. The book's blend of theory and practice provides valuable insights to the reader, particularly government, academic and private sector policy makers and scholars researching or involved directly with efforts to build and support the development of science and technology based entrepreneurial regions. Contributors include: A.C. Arroio, J.E. Cassiolato, G. Corbetta, A. Dawson, U. de Haan, A. Fayolle, C.-O. Frykfors, J. Gao, S.Z. Hassan, J. Hessels, K. Hindle, W. Hulsink, H. Klandt, M. Klofsten, T. Kodama, H. Lastres, H. Lawton Smith, X. Liu, D. Ma, G. Maas, S.A. Mian, J. Mitra, S. Musengi, K.-B. Nahm, G. Natarajan, H. Patzelt, W.H. Plosila, K. Suddle, O. Torres, X. Triad, J. Valls, J.-C. Wang, P.K. Wong, J. Yencken, M.Y. Zhang

This book uniquely applies the Schumpeterian innovation policy perspective to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). A broadly defined framework of the science, technology, innovation and growth system underpins the empirical and conceptual analysis of the critical issues including demand, FDI, finance and education. Specifically, the expert contributors address the (in)capacity of CEE to play a more significant role in the knowledge-based competitiveness of the EU. They question whether it is possible to bolster this capacity with innovation/technology/industry-specific policies, and discuss the changes required at EU and individual country levels to remove sector and industry specific obstacles to greater competitiveness based on innovation. Policies are analyzed from the perspective of growth, and the conclusions drawn are relevant to education, the labor market and competition policy. This highly original, explicit and systematic study will prove an illuminating read for academics, researchers, students and policy makers focusing on a range of areas including economics, heterodox economics, European studies, technology and innovation. Contributors include: P. Aghion, J. Edler, H. Harmgart, A. Kaderabkova, R. Narula, S. Radosevic, A. Reid, A. Reinstaller, F. Unterlass, N. Weisshaar

This illuminating book broadly addresses the emerging field of 'diversity of capitalism' from a comparative institutional approach. It explores the varied patterns for achieving coordination in different economic systems, applying them specifically to China, Japan and South Korea. These countries are of particular interest due to the fact that they are often considered to have developed their own peculiar blend of models of capitalism. The expert contributors take a common institutional approach, focusing on institutions at the macro level. They present case studies to demonstrate the diversity of institutional patterns at the advent of the 21st century, both within the East Asian region and elsewhere. Examples of stability within existing institutions are illustrated alongside examples of comprehensive institutional change. Underpinning the case studies are a set of theoretical and empirical challenges for researchers concerned with national institutional settings, path dependence and endogenous dynamics. Institutional Variety in East Asia will prove a fascinating read for academics and students with an interest in Asian studies, institutional theory, political economy and heterodox economics.

The Economic Impact of Digital Technologies offers a profoundly illuminating examination of ICT transformations in Europe and its critical role in greater social inequality. It presents scholars and policy makers with original and practical tools to benchmark and assess the ICT diffusion and inclusion process. The core message of book is that a coherent European strategy for embedding ICT technologies in society is long overdue. Social differences in ICT use persist and are in some cases widening, yet despite this fact there is a dearth of research on remedying digital inequalities. This is of particular importance given that relative levels of ICT use, investment and research can often explain variations in economic performance between industrialized countries. The purpose of this book is to fill the gap in the literature by presenting key evidence on the economic benefits (and costs) deriving from investment in an inclusive information society. The authors propose indicators and indexes of digital development and e-Inclusion (and its flip-side e-exclusion) to assess the relationship between inclusive ICT and wider economic and social performance in Europe. Presenting the methodology to monitor countries' performance and ICT use, together with original measures and policy suggestions, this book will be indispensable to policy makers, scholars and postgraduate students in a variety of areas including economic growth, innovation, industrial and organizational studies, information and technology, European studies, and public and social policy. Contents: Preface Introduction 1. Digital Development in Europe: A Theoretical Framework 2. The Internet in Everyday Life 3. A Metrics for Digital Development 4. Digital Inequalities in Europe 5. The Economic Impact of e-Inclusion: A Review of the Literature 6. The Economic Impact of Digital Technologies: An Empirical Analysis on European Countries 7. The Impact of e-Inclusion in Europe: A Scenario Analysis 8. Digital Development: An Overall EU Policy Framework Appendix: EDDI European Digital Development Index: Definition of Methodology References Index With contributions from: Marco Bee, Sara Bentivegna, Giovanni Di Franco, Giuseppe Espa, Rinaldo Evangelista, Roberto Gabriele, Paolo Guerrieri, Valentina Meliciani and Jacques Pelkmans

This comprehensive and innovative Handbook applies the tools of the economics of complexity to analyze the causes and effects of technological and structural change. It grafts the intuitions of the economics of complexity into the tradition of analysis based upon the Schumpeterian and Marshallian legacies. The Handbook elaborates the notion of innovation as an emerging property of the organized complexity of an economic system, and provides the basic tools to understand the recursive dynamics between the emergence of innovation and the unfolding of organized complexity. In so doing, it highlights the role of organizational thinking in explaining the introduction of innovations and the dynamics of structural change. With a new methodological approach to the economics of technological change, this wide-ranging volume will become the standard reference for postgraduates, academics and practitioners in the fields of evolutionary economics, complexity economics and the economics of innovation.

This book scrutinizes the relationship between entrepreneurship and change in technological domains in order to discover how each element influences the other. Fresh empirical evidence is placed under the lens of recent theoretical advancements, through the exploration of entrepreneurial initiatives at firm, regional and industrial levels. Distinguished scholars in the fields of entrepreneurship, technology management, strategy and innovation investigate how technological changes generate opportunities that entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial organizations can fully exploit. They also discuss the argument that entrepreneurial behavior can be a promoter of change in both technology-generating and technology-adopting businesses, and explore topics such as strategic renewal through change and entrepreneurship (at both corporate, regional and industrial level). This unique and absorbing book will prove invaluable to academics and students with an interest in entrepreneurship and technology, as well as to entrepreneurs, research and development managers and corporate executives wishing to gain an insight on how change benefits business creation and renewal. Contributors include: O.J. Borch, L. Cassia, I. Cowlrick, A. De Massis, D. Faems, S. Ford, L. Foss, P. Giacon, F. Gunzel, T. Hedner, T. Iakovleva, J. Kickul, M. Klofsten, F. Lamers, C. Leger-Jarniou, T. Minola, T. Minshall, L. Mortara, M. Muffatto, J. Napp, E. Oftedal, M. Olausson, S. Paleari, I.H.E. Roaldsen, A. Solheim, P. Svensson, C. Viala, K. Visscher, H. Wilker, R. Wolf

Welcome to this 'novice's guide'. At last a book that explains the real science behind the cosmetics we use. Taking a gentle approach and a guided journey through the different product types, we discover that they are not as superficial as often thought and learn that there is some amazing science behind them. We shall uncover some of the truths behind the myths and point out some interesting facts on our way. Did you know? Vitamin E is the world's most used cosmetic active ingredient. At just 1mm thick, your amazing skin keeps out just about everything it's exposed to - including your products! A 'chemical soup' of amino acids, urea, mineral salts and organic acids act as 'water magnets' in the skin keeping it naturally moisturised. Discovered centuries ago, iron oxides (yes, the same chemicals as rust) are still commonly used inorganic pigments in foundations. A lipstick is a fine balance of waxes, oils and colourants to keep the stick stable and leave an even gloss on your lips.

With chapters from experienced and internationally renowned contributors holding positions in research, industry, and clinical practice, this is the fifth edition of what has become the standard reference for cosmetic scientists and dermatologists seeking the latest innovations and technology for the formulation, design, testing, use, and production of cosmetic products for the skin. *Offers in-depth analysis of specific topics in cosmetic science and research *Presents the latest in international research and its translation to practice *Gives an indispensable guide to a hotly competitive area for research and practice

`This volume gathers an impressive collection of chapters about the external dimension of the European Research Area. The book examines in detail one of the issues that has received most attention lately in research policy-making, namely, the internationalization of S&T cooperation. Whereas it is widely accepted that global research-related problems need to be addressed beyond the strict national and European scales, there is still a considerable knowledge gap about how to develop a more coherent international S&T policy in Europe. This book bridges this gap by studying the existing internationalization patterns of S&T in Europe, analyzing the role of the EU in several areas of global S&T challenges (like global public health, poverty reduction, energy resources security), and discussing how policy coordination might offer possibilities for a more coherent European global S&T policy. For these reasons this book makes an invaluable contribution by expanding our knowledge on this matter, and providing solid evidence to policy makers.' - Susana Borras, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark `This volume brings together the most recent results of policy research on international S&T cooperation in the European Research Area. The book comes at a time when EU member states start working together in a new European Partnership for International S&T Cooperation by developing joint activities targeting commonly agreed thematic and regional priorities. Based on sound theoretical considerations the book also provides practical guidance on how to set S&T priorities and develop cooperative activities at European level. It is a most welcome and important contribution to the understanding and development of the international dimension of European research and innovation policies.' - Manfred Horvat, Vienna University of Technology, Austria `This book offers a refreshing perspective: while former national research systems merge into intra-European institutional "landscapes" and policies, also fostered by dedicated "European Research Area (ERA)" initiatives, the demand for scientific knowledge and sustainable technology is a global issue, today more than ever. New knowledge is needed and generated across the world. Reinforcing research and innovation in Europe means upgrading its capacity to open up and tap into global knowledge networks, including the emerging contributions of "latecomer" countries. The book shows that ERA will turn into a real asset for research in Europe only if it helps to coordinate for global knowledge exchange and collaboration.' - Stefan Kuhlmann, University of Twente, The Netherlands In a globalized knowledge-economy, the European Union (EU) needs a new approach to its international science and technology (S&T) policies by focusing on improved coherence across the different tiers of government and by demonstrating leadership in tackling serious global challenges. The contributors to this book analyze European S&T policies in several areas of global concern as well as by exposing both the pitfalls of policy coordination and its potential to contribute to a more coherent international S&T policy. They highlight the interactions between national, European and international policies, and explore how a common European policy for international S&T cooperation could work, and under which conditions. The book concludes that an EU external S&T policy is more likely to emerge if member states and the European Commission focus on a limited number of strategic priorities where Europe really can make a difference. This book provides theoretical insights and practical solutions on how to equip the European Research Area with policies and instruments to `go global' successfully, and on how to implement policy measures effectively and efficiently. As such, it will prove essential reading for policymakers in research, science and technology. It will also provide a stimulating read for academics and students of science and technology policies, European studies and international relations.

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. Contributors: A. Bergek, K. Blind, P. Boekholt, B. Carlsson, C. Chaminade, S.E. Cozzens, B. Dankbaar, P. den Hertog, J. Edler, C. Edquist, L. Elg, S.J.H. Graham, D.H. Guston, M. Hekkert, S. Jacobsson, S. Kuhlmann, B.R. Martin, J. Molas-Gallart, D. Sarewitz, P. Shapira, K. Smith, R. Smits, M. Teubal, R. van Merkerk, G. Vissers

This book provides new insights into how new biology, and the emergence of "translational" policies to drive the health bioeconomy, is reshaping the innovation ecosystem for new therapies. A key argument is that a broader definition of value (beyond the economic aspects) is needed to understand health innovation in the twenty-first century.