This book is based on the findings, issues and questions related to an ongoing decade-old research project named the Innovation Lab (www.innovation-lab.org). The research project focuses on discontinuous innovation in more than thirteen countries, most of which are European, and provides useful insights into its different challenges. It also raises several questions related to the subject, some of which are: how do firms pick up weak signals on emerging - and possibly radically different - innovation? What should firms do when these weak signals hit their "mainstream" process? What are the criteria for allocating resources to a strategic innovation project? What actions should firms take to avoid being left out by the "corporate immune system"? How should firms organize projects that often break existing rules and require new rules to be created?This book attempts to provide answers to the above mentioned questions by gathering information from the research project and also from firms that have tried exploring various ideas, models and insights to tackle discontinuous innovation. Written in a simple and accessible manner, this book will be of interest to both practitioners and academics alike.

Three unassailable facts will strike you as soon as you start to read The Future of Innovation: c One: innovation is the new mantra; whether you're involved in teaching art and design, new product development for a blue chip consumer brand or responsible for providing public services to citizens; c Two: understanding innovation requires multiple perspectives; from culture and mindset, social and commercial context, new ways of working as much as new products or services; c Three: innovation is a journey; drawing on insights from around the globe is essential to accelerate our progress. Bettina von Stamm and Anna Trifilova have gathered together the thoughts and ideas of over 200 of the most creative innovators from business, professional practice and academia from nearly 60 countries. The contributors look at innovation from almost every angle. Their statements offer an unparalleled view of innovation and provide a depth of insight that is extraordinary. The editors' reflection on each statement and on the sections within the book, provide useful links between themes and reinforce the relationships between many of the ideas. Anyone interested in innovation (student, researcher or practitioner) will benefit from this global thought collection. The contributors' multiple perspectives, models, practical examples and stories provide a sense of innovation that no single writer could ever capture. The Future of Innovation is supported by the website www.thefutureofinnovation.org, where you can find even more contributions and tools that enable you to exchange, expand, elaborate and develop your perspectives on the future of innovation.