Sociology of Economic Innovation

<p>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.</p><p>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 <i>actors</i> of innovation at the <i>relations</i> that exist between them and at the sectoral and territorial <i>contexts</i> 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.</p>