Knowledge, Complexity and Innovation Systems

In recent years there has been growing scientific interest in the triangular relationship between knowledge. complexity and innovation systems. The concept of'innovation systems' carries the idea that innovations do not originate as isolated discrete phenomena, but are generated through the interaction of a number of actors or agents. This set of actors and interactions possess certain specific characteristics that tend to remain over time. Such characteristics are also shared by national, regional, sectoral and technological interaction systems. They can all be represented as sets of [institutional] actors and interactions, whose ultimate goal is the production and diffusion of knowledge. The major theoretical and policy problem posed by these systems is that knowledge is generated not only by individuals and organisations, but also by the often complex pattern of interaction between them. To understand how organisations create new products, new production techniques and new organisational forms is important. An even more fundamental need is to understand how organisations create new knowledge if this knowledge creation lies in the mobilisation and conversion of tacit knowledge. Although much has been written about the importance of knowledge in management, little attention has been paid to how knowledge is created and how the knowledge­ creation process is managed. The third component of the research triangle concerns complexity.

Preface.- 1. M.M.Fischer,J.Fröhlich, Knowledge,Complexity and Innovation Systems: Prologue.- Part A: Innovation Systems: 2. P.P.Saviotti, Networks,National Innovation Systems and Self-Organisation; 3. C.Edquist, Innovation Policy in the Systems of Innovation Approach: Some Basic Principles; 4. D.Archibugi, The Globalisation of Technology and the European Innovation System.- Part B: Knowledge Creation and Spillovers: 5. A.Lagendijk, Scaling Knowledge Production: How Significant is the Region? 6. C.Karlsson,A.Manduchi, Knowledge Spillovers in a Spatial Context - A Critical Review and Assessment; 7. M.M.Fischer,J.Fröhlich;H.Gassler,A.Varga, The Role of Space in the Creation of Knowledge in Austria - An Exploratory Spatial Analysis; 8. E.Echeverri-Carroll, Knowledge Spillovers in High Technology Agglomerations: Measurement and Modelling.- Part C: Innovation, Knowledge and Regional Development: 9. L.Suarez-Villa, Inventive Knowledge and the Sources of New Technology: Regional Changes in Innovative Capacity in the United States; 10. R.Capello, Urban Innovation and Collective Learning: Theory and Evidence from Five Metropolitan Cities in Europe; 11. N.Alderman, Distributed Knowledge in Complex Engineering Project Networks: Implications for Regional Innovation Systems; 12. Z.J.Acs, Endogenous Technological Change, Entreneurship and Regional Growth.- Part D: Modelling Complexities: 13. G.Haag,P.Liedl, Modelling of Knowledge, Capital Formation, and Innovation Behaviour within Micro-Based Profit Oriented and Correlated Decision Processes; 14. F.Schweitzer,J.Zimmermann, Communication and Self-Organisation in Complex Systems: A Basic Approach; 15. D.F.Batten, Agents, Interactions, and Co-Evolutionary Learning; 16. M. Sonis, Major Actors of Innovation Diffusion Process.- Part E: Policy Issues: 17. D.Dendrinos, Options, Innovation and Metropolitan Development: Novel Insights from Non-Linear Dynamics; 18. P.Nijkamp,J.Poot,G.Vindigni, Spatial Dynamics and Government Policy: An Artificial Intelligence Approach to Comparing Complex Systems; 19. D.Engel,A.Fier, Does R&D-Infrastructure Attract High-Tech Start-Ups?.- References.- List of Figures.- List of Tables.- Subject Index.- Author Index.- List of Contributors