Eric von Hippel
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- September 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780262035217
- eISBN:
- 9780262335461
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262035217.001.0001
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Innovation
This book integrates new theory and research findings into the framework of a “free innovation paradigm.” Free innovation, as the book defines it, involves innovations developed by consumers who are ...
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This book integrates new theory and research findings into the framework of a “free innovation paradigm.” Free innovation, as the book defines it, involves innovations developed by consumers who are self-rewarded for their efforts, and who give their designs away “for free.” It is an inherently simple grassroots innovation process, unencumbered by compensated transactions and intellectual property rights. Free innovation is already widespread in national economies and is steadily increasing in both scale and scope. Today, tens of millions of consumers are collectively spending tens of billions of dollars annually on innovation development. However, because free innovations are developed during consumers' unpaid, discretionary time and are given away rather than sold, their collective impact and value have until very recently been hidden from view. This has caused researchers, governments, and firms to focus too much on the Schumpeterian idea of innovation as a producer-dominated activity. Free innovation has both advantages and drawbacks. Because free innovators are self-rewarded by such factors as personal utility, learning, and fun, they often pioneer new areas before producers see commercial potential. At the same time, because they give away their innovations, free innovators generally have very little incentive to invest in diffusing what they create, which reduces the social value of their efforts. The best solution, this book argues, is a division of labor between free innovators and producers, enabling each to do what they do best. The result will be both increased producer profits and increased social welfare—a gain for all.Less
This book integrates new theory and research findings into the framework of a “free innovation paradigm.” Free innovation, as the book defines it, involves innovations developed by consumers who are self-rewarded for their efforts, and who give their designs away “for free.” It is an inherently simple grassroots innovation process, unencumbered by compensated transactions and intellectual property rights. Free innovation is already widespread in national economies and is steadily increasing in both scale and scope. Today, tens of millions of consumers are collectively spending tens of billions of dollars annually on innovation development. However, because free innovations are developed during consumers' unpaid, discretionary time and are given away rather than sold, their collective impact and value have until very recently been hidden from view. This has caused researchers, governments, and firms to focus too much on the Schumpeterian idea of innovation as a producer-dominated activity. Free innovation has both advantages and drawbacks. Because free innovators are self-rewarded by such factors as personal utility, learning, and fun, they often pioneer new areas before producers see commercial potential. At the same time, because they give away their innovations, free innovators generally have very little incentive to invest in diffusing what they create, which reduces the social value of their efforts. The best solution, this book argues, is a division of labor between free innovators and producers, enabling each to do what they do best. The result will be both increased producer profits and increased social welfare—a gain for all.
Laikwoon Teh, David Hogan, and Clive Dimmock
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781447306207
- eISBN:
- 9781447310990
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447306207.003.0003
- Subject:
- Sociology, Education
This chapter outlines how knowledge is mobilised – produced, mediated and applied – to improve education practice and policy in Singapore. It begins with an introduction to Singapore's education ...
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This chapter outlines how knowledge is mobilised – produced, mediated and applied – to improve education practice and policy in Singapore. It begins with an introduction to Singapore's education system. It then describes how the problem of knowledge mobilisation theory is framed and how Singaporean researchers have developed a Research, Development and Innovation programme. The chapter ends with a discussion of how the Singapore experience may contribute to the international education research community's drive to increase its impact on policy and practice.Less
This chapter outlines how knowledge is mobilised – produced, mediated and applied – to improve education practice and policy in Singapore. It begins with an introduction to Singapore's education system. It then describes how the problem of knowledge mobilisation theory is framed and how Singaporean researchers have developed a Research, Development and Innovation programme. The chapter ends with a discussion of how the Singapore experience may contribute to the international education research community's drive to increase its impact on policy and practice.
Ilan Sherr, Katrien Miclotte, and Rebecca Fawcett-Feuillette
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- June 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198795650
- eISBN:
- 9780191836961
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198795650.003.0009
- Subject:
- Law, Public International Law
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the economic development strategy of the European Union. However, while SMEs are important for job creation and economic development, ...
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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the economic development strategy of the European Union. However, while SMEs are important for job creation and economic development, the Commission has highlighted that they often encounter problems accessing finance and necessary information. In order to address certain market failures which impact SMEs most significantly, SMEs now have a favoured status under the state aid rules. The most important and recent changes are a consequence of the Commission’s state aid modernization (SAM) reform package. As part of the SAM package, the Commission has adopted ten guidelines and five regulations to render existing state aid control instruments and procedures more efficient. This chapter gives a brief but practical overview of those new guidelines and regulations and highlights the core principles that need to be taken into account when assessing aid possibilities for SMEs.Less
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the economic development strategy of the European Union. However, while SMEs are important for job creation and economic development, the Commission has highlighted that they often encounter problems accessing finance and necessary information. In order to address certain market failures which impact SMEs most significantly, SMEs now have a favoured status under the state aid rules. The most important and recent changes are a consequence of the Commission’s state aid modernization (SAM) reform package. As part of the SAM package, the Commission has adopted ten guidelines and five regulations to render existing state aid control instruments and procedures more efficient. This chapter gives a brief but practical overview of those new guidelines and regulations and highlights the core principles that need to be taken into account when assessing aid possibilities for SMEs.
