Technological Innovation Across Nations : Applied Studies of Coevolutionary Development

Innovation is the driving force behind economic growth. The knowledge that f- ters innovation builds on both systematic research and serendipity. The availability of new knowledge―be it technological or organizational (social)―is, however, - suf?cient. An institutional structure must be in place that enhances mutual learning among the actors involved and that stimulates cooperation, as well as competition. This recognition has inspired this volume, which focuses on national innovation s- tems and sectoral (technology) innovation systems that differ widely between co- tries, due to their diverse historical paths and distinctive cultural and societal f- tures. With regard to theory, most chapters incorporate a mix of endogenous growth theory and evolutionary thinking. Endogenous growth theory places an emphasis on the interplay between technological knowledge and various structural charact- istics of the economy and society, as well as on the results of economic growth. Concepts related to technology development, accumulation of knowledge on te- nology, and technology diffusion feature prominently here. In evolutionary thi- ing, and in particular coevolutionary thinking, the focus is on close links between technology and institutions, whereby the functionality of technology is in?uenced by certain dynamic interactions with institutional systems. Information technology turns out to be a clear example of such a development.

The book offers an interesting blend of applied state-of-the-art studies of coevolutionary development of institutions, innovation diffusion and innovative entrepreneurship, not published anywhere else. It can firstly be classified as belonging to mainstream endogenous growth studies on the country level, and secondly, to mainstream evolutionary studies. What the themes in the book share is attention for institutional change in a frame of coevolutionary dynamics to elucidate differences over time and differences between countries in technological innovation and economic growth. The book contains solid applied work in this area and is mainly about information technology and electronics industry (for example, PC manufacturing); however, biotechnology is also included. In addition, the book has a wide geographic scope including a focus on the US, China, Japan, India and the Netherlands, as well as many cross-country comparisons.

Part I (Adoption of Information Technology in National Institutional Systems) presents studies of historical development trajectories and/or country specific institutional circumstances of innovation diffusion. Part II (Institutional Systems, Entrepreneurship, Knowledge Transfer and Learning) is devoted to the development of institutions, and policies and practice of technology transfer and utilization by companies, including an evolutionary growth path of technology incubators.