INNOVATION ECONOMICS: THE RACE FOR GLOBAL ADVANTAGE
“Innovation Economics” is a valuable book. The authors are right to warn that America’s leadership in several areas has eroded much more rapidly than most Americans think. They are right to argue that classical economists are often blind to the fact that innovation is the product of ecosystems rather than individual companies and that ecosystems are fragile. They are also right to worry that “innovation mercantilism” can be much more harmful to its targets than traditional mercantilism: even if it doesn’t benefit the sinner in the long run it can seriously damage the sinned against.”
-The Economist Business Books Quarterly Review
In a new book, Innovation Economics: The Race for Global Advantage (Yale University Press), Robert D. Atkinson and Stephen J. Ezell forcefully present the argument for the exceptional role that science and technology play in the economy. In their book, Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Ezell define innovation as not only the generation of new ideas but also as their adoption in new products, processes, services and organizational models. In their view, the goal of policy should be to invest in and nurture the development of the innovation pipeline, from basic science to commercialization. A linchpin of innovation policy, according to Mr. Atkinson, is collaboration between government and industry.”
-Steve Lohr, The New York Times, “The Seeds That Federal Money Can Plant“
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Praise for Innovation Economics:
“Innovation Economics: The Race for Global Advantage offers a frank assessment of many of the underlying causes of our economic challenges and helps explain why recovery has remained so elusive. Rob Atkinson and Stephen Ezell have collaborated on a timely call to action: America can compete and win the global economic race, but only if we change our mindset and update many of our policies” —Senator Mark Warner (D, VA)
“The United States is increasingly being left behind in the global competition for high-value production and jobs. While this trend is lowering our standard of living, there are steps government can take to stem this decline, such as making STEM education a national priority and pursuing a 21st century growth agenda that acknowledges the important role that innovation plays. Innovation Economics is an important read for those of us concerned about our nation’s long-term economic challenges but optimistic about solutions to improve our future in our own time.” —Congressman Richard Hanna (R-NY)
“Innovation Economics offers the most pragmatic guideposts for American and global economic renewal today. I recommend it for every leader in or out of office.” —Calestous Juma, Harvard Kennedy School
“As a long-time analyst of the trends shaping the global economy, I am struck by the increasing number of economic and political leaders that do not grasp how serious the structural economic problems facing America are. I hope they read Innovation Economics. It “speaks truth power” with candor, reason and wit and offers fresh thinking and a path forward. Rob Atkinson and Stephen Ezell have been making important contributions and better ideas about economic policy for years. Their new book is eye-opening and alarming and arrives at a critical time.” —Lenny Mendonca, McKinsey & Company, McKinsey Global Institute
“For those of us who believe America’s brightest days are ahead of us, Atkinson and Ezell offer important insights about how we can insure that innovation is at the core of our country’s progress.”—Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware
“Rob Atkinson and Stephen Ezell present a compelling analysis of the causes of America’s long-term structural decline, providing a very readable account of the decline in our innovation advantage. They lay out an important agenda for learning from what other countries have done, and overcoming our barriers to making our innovation system more robust and globally competitive.”—Willy C. Shih, Harvard Business School
“It was rousing to read Innovation Economics. The authors have built a thorough and extensive understanding of the wide nature and spectrum of innovation as well as of reasons why the U.S. and all nations have so many challenges to run successful innovation policy. The list of eight “I’s” is an excellent summation of the broad areas that are crucial for successful innovation policy. I really enjoyed becoming familiar with the in-depth study and argumentation by the authors, and fully agreed with them.” —Dr. Veli-Pekka Saarnivaara, CEO, Tekes – Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation
“Atkinson and Ezell provide the definitive guide to innovation and its impact on economic prosperity. If you care about innovation, you need to read this book.” —Justin Rattner, Chief Technology Officer, Intel Corporation
“In today’s highly competitive global economy, innovation matters more than ever to a country’s standard of living. But as Atkinson and Ezell so persuasively argue, this is a race in which the US is falling behind. Even more concerning, they draw striking parallels to other countries that have followed similar paths. This book challenges many myths about the US’s long-term competitive situation, and offers important suggestions for how to reverse course. With Innovation Economics, Atkinson and Ezell have sounded an important wake up call.” —Gary Pisano, Harvard Business School