This book comprises a variety of examples of the use of science and technology in business, ranging from early computer use in the U.S. insurance industry to the present use of information technology in the Swedish furniture industry; from the classic UK fish and chip shop's use of white fish to Heathrow's Terminal 5-project; from new fishing net fibers to the cooling of chocolate at Cadbury's; from the development of new mobile wireless services to the creation of a genetic database on Iceland. The book shows the multifaceted and interactive character of the relationship between science and technology on the one hand, and business and innovation on the other. It explores this non-linear relationship through a selection of case studies and discusses its implications for science as well as for business. The economy of the use of sciences and technology, as well as the science and technology of economy, is given equal focus.

Emerging global markets and rapid technological development make strong demands on the ability of companies to develop and utilize knowledge. In order to handle the knowledge management problem firms have to search for new collaborative ways of organizing internationalization and technical development. This is reflected in a growing interest among both businessmen and academics in business networks. Business networks have been defined as networks of connected business relationships between firms, where a business relationship is a lasting relation between two firms doing business with one another. Business network relationships are particularly interesting since they allow the companies to interact more closely with each other and thereby handle critical problems in a way that is beneficial in the long run for the parties involved.
It has been demonstrated that business networks are closely related to company learning. First, learning is an important element in business network development. Second, learning is an effect of interaction in business networks relationships. Third, learning can be a part of interaction in relationships. Against this background the objective of this volume is to discuss learning in business network settings.