Closing the Innovation Gap: Reigniting the Spark of Creativity in a Global Economy

by Estrin

Named one of the "Best Books on Innovation, 2008" by BusinessWeek magazine Does innovation come about by luck or hard work? Is it a flash of inspiration or the result of careful management? Are innovators born or taught? In Closing the Innovation Gap , Judith Estrin provides the answers to these and other questions critical to our future. A technology pioneer and business leader, Estrin describes what will be required to reignite the spark of innovation in business, education, and government--ensuring our long-term success in the global economy. Innovation does not occur in a vacuum. It grows from the interplay of three drivers of creative change--research, development, and application. Estrin calls this dynamic the “Innovation Ecosystem,” explaining how these communities work together to create sustainable innovation. Closing the Innovation Gap covers:

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 13, 2008

Reviews

[Rod Van Meter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but in places felt a bit disorganized, though she brought it all together at the end.

As a committed globalist, I was a bit put off by the sometimes jingoistic tone. I'm American and want America to do its best, and I believe in competition as a spur for finding our best, but in places it was a little much.

There could be so much more in this book about the coming age of Digital Everything, but she kept the focus on what we can do in the near term to make the long term better, primarily in terms of human capital and generic comments about wanting to increase research investment and revitalize pure research. All good stuff, and I suppose she didn't want to make the book dated or too tied to one community, so there is little about what technologies or fields she sees as important going forward. Of course, told from her point of view as an information technologist.

If you spend a lot of time thinking and reading about these issues, much of this book is familiar, covering the standard ground starting from Vannevar Bush. But if you're coming to the area of technology policy for the first time, it's a good place to start. Every single Congressman should read this.

[Nic Brisbourne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good common sense in this book, including a few very useful reminders of how to think about the innovation capability at companies. It is a bit longer than it needed to be though, and much of it is very specific to America.

[Jennifer]

This author was on Science Friday, and I loved her! Very validating for homeschooling. I want to read more of what she has to say and really focus on creativity and innovation in our learning.

[Pat]

There's an excerpt available here: http://www.innovation-america.com/ind...

[Rahul Mahale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fuck the commercial value
Start Innovating