THE IDEA OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
A Brief Alternative History
Genre:
Economy & Politics, Society
Author:
Benoît Godin
Publisher:
Edward Elgar
Language:
English
AUTHOR BIO:
Benoît Godin, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Canada
Pages:
208
Publication:
Rights available:
All except China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
DESCRIPTION:
Godin looks to engineers, managers, consultants and policymakers as the instigators of our current understanding of technological innovation.
Offering a conceptual history of the subject, Part I considers the many iterations of innovation – as an science applied, outcome, process and system – to track and analyse the changing discourses surrounding technological innovation. In Part II, the author turns to historic and contemporary innovation policy to illustrate the critical role that practitioners have had in formulating and strategizing policy.
Effectively rewriting the historiography of the topic, this book is critical reading for scholars of innovation studies, sociology and the history of science and technology. Students will benefit from Godin’s pioneering approach to the subject and policymakers will also find value in the book’s unique insight into innovation.
Contents:
Introduction
1. Prehistory
PART I Technological Innovation
2. Innovation as Science Applied
3. Innovation as Outcome
4. Innovation as Process
5. Innovation as System
PART II From Idea to Action
6. Inventing Innovation Policy
7. Innovation Policy Today
Conclusion
Index
REVIEWS:
‘Benoit Godin’s The Idea of Technological Innovation is a telling example of the power of intellectual history. In a brief but analytically crisp and extensively documented historical overview, Godin’s “alternative history” unbundles the seemingly inextricable conceptual and policy linkages between research and development and technological innovation, positing instead that the two stages correspond to two discourses, espoused by two different communities. An invaluable work for multiple research and policy communities, but most especially for those engaged in science policy and innovation studies and the economics of technological innovation.’ – Irwin Feller, The Pennsylvania State University, US ‘Godin’s latest book provides new insights into the history of technology innovation....
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