Sociology of Economic Innovation [Hardcover]

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 actorsof innovation, at the relationsthat exist between them and at the sectoral and territorial contextsin 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

This is the first comprehensive work on the sociology of innovation. It's an original contribution that shows the importance of social relations in the process of invention and innovation. Ramella provides an extremely useful tool for students and scholars from other disciplines that are interested in the sociological view of innovation.

Francesco Ralz