Sociology of Economic Innovation

This book offers a sociological overview of the theories and research on economic innovation. Over the past few decades, the economics of innovation has given rise to a lively flow of studies, and innovation studies continues to develop as an interdisciplinary field of research. Sociology in general, and economic sociology in particular, have already made a significant contribution to innovation and continue to play a crucial role in this emerging field. This book presents an integrated sociological approach to the study of economic innovation. It explores the key theories and sociological research on innovation, as well as other contributions to the field of Innovation Studies from economists, geographers, and psychologists. Ramella argues that in order to understand the processes of innovation, it is necessary to look at the actors of innovation, at the relations that exist between them and at the sectoral and territorial contexts in which they operate. For students, this book includes international case studies throughout, as well as further study questions at the end of each chapter.

Introduction: Innovation Studies. 1. Innovation and Social Change 2. Inventors and Creativity 3. The Sociology of Economic Inventions 4. The Small Worlds of Creativity and Innovation 5. Innovation Systems 6. The Geography of Innovation 7. Innovation and Local Development

Francesco Ramella is Professor of Economic Sociology at the University of Torino, Italy. He is also Editor in Chief of the scientific journal Stato e Mercato and member of the editorial boards of Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy and South European Society & Politics. He has carried out research on innovation, local development and political cultures.