Innovation Ecosystems E-Book

Eunika Mercier-Laurent

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 417

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

The capacity to innovate is a fundamental resource for organizations as well as the true wealth of a society. To contribute fully to the prosperity of an organization, region or country, the innovation process - which is not only technology-based - requires the implementation of knowledge dynamics between domains that are often treated in isolation. This dynamic is based on a synergy between humans and intelligent machines. For several years, innovation has been omnipresent and part of strategic matters. The word "innovation" is in the headlines of reports, articles and business media, and is also the subject of events, projects, think tanks, clubs and blogs. Several forums on social networks are devoted to its various facets. It is a global phenomenon. This book introduces the concept of "e-co-innovation" which brings a better understanding of the successful transition from idea to reality and ultimate value. The motivation behind this book is to introduce a global and system overview of the subject, to present the various aspects of innovation from different angles and perspectives to finally bring the reader to an understanding of all ecosystem components, their metamorphoses, cross-influences and possible impacts on the balanced development of people, businesses, regions and countries.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1. Global Landscape of Innovation

1.1. Innovation in the world

1.2. Innovation in Europe

1.3. Innovation in France

1.4. The future of innovation

Chapter 2. A Multi-faceted Innovation

2.1. The pieces of the kaleidoscope

2.2. From invention to innovation

2.3. A few definitions of innovation

2.4. Innovation spectrum

2.5. Innovation paradoxes

Chapter 3. From Innovation to E-co-innovation

3.1. Awakening consciousness

3.2. The traditional innovation process

3.3. Why and when innovate?

3.4. Role of the customer in the innovation process

3.5. Integrating environmental aspects

3.6. E-co-innovation or innovating differently

3.7. Innovating in a knowledge economy

Chapter 4. Knowledge and Skills to E-co-innovate

4.1. Information or knowledge?

4.2. The knowledge necessary to innovate

4.3. Which skills are essential to e-co-innovate?

4.4. Measuring the organizational capacity to innovate

4.5. Mobilizing imagination, collective intelligence and technology

Chapter 5. Knowledge Management - Collective Human-Machine Intelligence

5.1. Amplifying intelligence

5.2. The role of computers in the e-co-innovation process

5.3. Knowledge management

5.4. Building knowledge flow

Chapter 6. Innovating Technological Innovation.

6.1. Researchers, R&D and innovation

6.2. Technological innovation actors

6.3. Contexts and ambitions

6.4. Motivations, evaluations and promotion

6.5. What is the role of education?

6.6. Some initiatives to transform technological innovation in economic values

6.7. Financing and return on investment

6.8. Proposal: technological innovation in the knowledge economy

6.9. The future of research

Chapter 7. Innovation for Territorial Development

7.1. The economic situation of regions and cities

7.2. Strategies and actions in favor of regional development

7.3. Some initiatives in favor of territorial growth by innovation

7.4. Removing obstacles to development

7.5. Development in the knowledge economy

7.6. Innovating for a prosperous future

Inventing the Future

Glossary

Bibliography

Index

First published 2011 in Great Britain and the United States by ISTE Ltd and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Adapted and updated from Les écosystémes de l'innovation published 2011 in France by Hermes Science/Lavoisier © LAVOISIER 2005

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms and licenses issued by the CLA. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside these terms should be sent to the publishers at the undermentioned address:

ISTE Ltd27-37 St George's RoadLondon SW19 4EUUKwww.iste.co.uk© ISTE Ltd 2011

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.111 River StreetHoboken, NJ 07030USAwww.wiley.com

The rights of Eunika Mercier-Laurent to be identified as the author of this work have been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mercier-Laurent, E. (Eunika)  Innovation ecosystems / Eunika Mercier-Laurent.    p. cm.  Includes bibliographical references and index.  ISBN 978-1-84821-325-81. Diffusion of innovations. 2. Technological innovations--Economic aspects. 3. Technological innovations--Environmental aspects. 4. Creative ability. 5. Intellectual capital. I. Title.  HC79.T4.M46 2011  338'.064--dc23

2011030740

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication DataA CIP record for this book is available from the British LibraryISBN 978-1-84821-325-8

Foreword

Eunika Mercier-Laurent highlights the notion of e-co-innovation in order to emphasize the collaborative dimension presiding over it nowadays, as well as the increasing necessity to take into account in any innovation its end purpose (ecological, economic, educational and ethical).

Personally, I would like to put the emphasis on the meaning of progress.

We are in the habit of saying (and this is a true saying) that new information and communication technologies contain as many opportunities as they do threats. Indeed, they can be implemented without any environmental consideration and can cause individualistic behaviors, but on the contrary, they can also strengthen social networks, whilst harmoniously fitting into their ecosystem.

Creativity and innovation are also ambivalent. Some people do not lack the creativity to overturn legislations. Innovative products in finance such as subprimes, which escape the control of their creators, have led the world economy to the brink of collapse.

We therefore need to be careful not to be naïve or fascinated in the face of technological progress, creativity and innovation as such. Like everything else, they must be used wisely. They are only useful to mankind if they are to be used for higher purposes, such as those defined by the UN in the eight development goals of the millennium.

If it is true that technological progress allowed by innovation is only meaningful for political goals of promoting the common good, it is equally true that political actors are the first amongst others who must create a favorable environment enabling innovation to competitively develop itself. Indeed, as stressed by Eunika Mercier-Laurent, the tricky stage in any innovating process is the transformation of a good idea into products or services creating added value. This book may help us to become aware of the decisive role that innovation plays to create a favorable environment; an environment that innovation modifies in return.

In Innovation Ecosystems, Eunika Mercier-Laurent not only presents innovation levers factually, whether a technical, social or economic innovation, she gets involved, formulates propositions and criticizes devices. I hope that, in the same vein, this book will encourage many readers to move on from merely reflecting on nourishing innovation, to action which indeed transforms the world.

Edith CressonFormer French Prime MinisterPresident of Fondation des Ecoles de la 2e chanceSeptember 2011

Introduction

For several years, innovation has been omnipresent and part of strategic matters. The word "innovation" is in the headlines of reports, articles and business media, and is also the subject of events, projects, think-tanks, clubs and blogs. Several forums on social networks are devoted to its various facets. This is a global phenomenon.

In the 20th Century, innovation was a subject for research centers of large companies and public laboratories. Now, it is no longer a confidential matter: we innovate politics, organization, management, business models, the way of managing intellectual capital, training, services, gastronomy and even DIY and gardening. From innovation emerges the vision of development that generates lasting values, ensuring a high level of income and a thriving economy. Innovation has all these virtues and is also likely to change tastes and mentalities.

The 1990s began with knowledge-based business (sale of publications, services and tools for knowledge management); nowadays innovation-based business flourishes. Many firms offer a plethora of approaches to creativity and innovation, some use games and information and communication technologies (ICT), there is also an abundance of institutional or private seminars and symposia. A variety of approaches are proposed. Most of them apply to product innovation resulting from research. Following the environmental awakening, innovation has become "eco", and is coming out of its favorite fields to infiltrate almost all other fields.

European and national policies have been developed, but the people in charge do not seem to be interested in feedback from practice. Nowadays, we rely on innovation to revitalize territories, to modernize industry, to create businesses, and to generate new activities. But how can we innovate to achieve the expected impact? What is the alternative to faster, cheaper, better logic? According to Peter Drucker, "the greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence. It is to act with yesterday's logic". Which logic can we hold on to? How can we go from theory to practice in order to build a sustainable knowledge society? What are the prospects for all populations? What are the skills necessary to innovate and turn innovation into a sustainable success? Where can we find them? Peter Drucker mentions only one essential skill: "Every organization - not just businesses - needs one core competence: innovation. And every organization needs a way to record and appraise its innovative performance"1.

Which indicators can measure the impact of innovation on the economy? How can technologies - ICT, Web 2.0 or artificial intelligence - help to innovate? Which stakeholders should we involve in the process? How can we innovate without destroying the planet? This book attempts to answer some of these questions.

The motivation behind this book is to introduce a global and systemic overview of the subject, to present the various aspects of innovation under different angles and perspectives to finally bring the reader to an understanding of all ecosystem components, their metamorphoses, cross-influences and possible impacts on the balanced development of people, businesses, regions and countries.

It is difficult to present such a topic - this is a set of ecosystems including individuals, their environments, products and services, technologies, activities, society, institutions, companies, schools, universities and research centers, as well as machines and the environment.

The other difficulty is to freeze a reality of the moment, knowing that this really is a question of dynamics. This book is a still picture because we are unable to give our readers a real-time video on paper. The seven chapters which follow are an attempt to paint a global overview of the subject. They can be read separately depending on the reader's interest.

Thus, Chapter 1 provides a landscape of innovation throughout the world. The resulting picture is static, but gives some references to follow. It introduces the main rankings and attempts to paint an image of innovation in selected countries. It demonstrates the bias of the ranking and the lack of suitable indicators for the knowledge economy measuring the impact of various actions, which are essential for a real-time control.

Chapter 2 presents the different aspects of innovation. This can be closed and open, incremental and disruptive (radical), organizational and cognitive. Products and services, business models, the ways of working and getting assistance from computers are part of this chapter's concerns. This list is not exhaustive and we thank our readers for reporting other aspects which have been omitted by ignorance, on http://innovation3d.fr.

Chapter 3 describes the two main components of the innovation process, which are the creativity and the transformation of ideas into values. It focuses on the evolution from the closed process, which is still practiced in a large number of businesses and institutions, to the global "knowledge e-co-innovation" through approaches such as participative innovation addressing the clients' needs and open innovation.

Chapter 4 lists the knowledge and skills essential for the successful transformation of an idea into values for all stakeholders. This chapter suggests a method of measuring the innovation capacity of individuals, companies and organizations. Designed for the knowledge economy, it introduces the indicators of the intangible values, which make it possible to measure the impact of actions on balanced development.

Chapter 5 highlights the importance of "knowing how" to involve computers in all their forms and to use suitable approaches and techniques, so they can boost their own innovative capacity along with that of individuals and groups. The organization and management of knowledge increases the chances of successful innovation.

Chapter 6 focuses on innovating technological innovation. It suggests some ideas for improving the existing system, in order to accelerate the generation of the values from the research results. Fostering and enhancement of applied research is a prerequisite for the survival of ecosystems and a key to balanced development. This chapter describes French and European research systems, but the reader will find many similarities with other countries.

Finally, Chapter 7 highlights the importance of the right innovation management for the rapidity and quality of regional development.

In order to initialize the construction of the common language of knowledge innovation e-co-systems, a glossary has been compiled, in addition to the explanations in the footnotes. Each reader will then be able to enrich their vocabulary in their respective contexts.

This book aims to be a practical guide to the innovation "country" and help readers to become knowledge cultivators. Please feel free to send me your comments and keep me informed on your progress.

Eunika Mercier-Laurent,[email protected] 2011

1. HBR, January-February 1995.

Chapter 1

Global Landscape of Innovation

Les idées n'ont pas véritablement de patrie sur terre, elles flottent dans l'air entre les peuples.(Ideas have no real home on Earth, they float in the air between people.)Stefan Zweig

1.1. Innovation in the world

Innovation is fashionable, the word proliferates all around the world. Most businesses and organizations want to be considered to be innovative. The term is used with increasing frequency in communication, in advertising slogans, on product packaging, etc. A Google search gives 123 million references, Alexa more than 60 million, and Yippy more than 38 million. Blogs and interest groups on social networks are multiplying. Even if a lot of them are dedicated to technological innovation, all fields of activities are concerned.

Nowadays, innovation is part of governmental strategies; it is considered to be the means for building a strong and thriving economy. The European Union aspires to transform the member countries into an innovative knowledge society based on a knowledge economy1. The European Research Area was created for this purpose. Following the idea of clusters2, technology parks and Pôle de compétitivité3 have appeared in France.

In the race for globalization, the competition has increased and the faster, cheaper, better logic has driven businesses to decentralize and outsource, leading to the weakening of industrialized countries and the development of countries where the workforce is cheaper. Decentralizing also generates knowledge losses and shifting leadership towards countries, which often imitate without actually having the know-how. In the face of these difficulties, many businesses have reduced or stopped their investments in the research and development sector. The collapse of the Soviet system and the opening of the borders have also contributed to a change in the economic landscape and to the brain drain. The end of the 1980s marked an awakening: in a changing world, we need to act differently to survive. Innovation would be the only solution. Considered as a magic wand, it would be able to create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

In Europe, countries are grouping to be stronger and more intelligent together. In 1981, Bull created a common research center with ICL and Siemens-ECRC (European Computer-Industry Research Centre) in Munich. This center is dedicated to artificial intelligence and to research in computer architecture, intelligent machines, new generations of databases and new programming languages. Since the 1990s, European research programs, such as Esprit 1 and 2, and the sixth and seventh Framework Program (FP) have contributed to the development of collaborative research, even if their contribution to economic development has not been channeled or measured. Besides the dissemination, no return on investment is required from the beneficiaries of research subsidies. These programs have produced and continue to produce many inventions with a strong economic potential, whose results are not well-known, because the knowledge management principles are not implemented. Despite the existence of techniques for relevant storage and retrieval, access to the information in the Cordis database remains sequential and based on keywords, and therefore has a low efficiency. Since 2006, a biannual event such as ICT spanning three days has been a showcase of European research and a place for networking. The second event brought together more than 4,000 people in Lyon in November 2008 and a third event assembled over 4,500 participants in Brussels in September 2010.