This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of innovation research, focusing on perspectives from the social sciences. Its scope extends beyond the traditional association of innovation with economic change and development, addressing its impact across multiple spheres of society. The handbook examines how innovation impacts various societal spheres. The content is organized around the history, concepts, and themes of innovation research, covering both classical theories and recent developments. The handbook highlights key empirical findings and explores various dimensions of innovation. Topics include coordination mechanisms (via markets, organizations, or trust); the role of innovation in different spheres of society (such as the economy, law, science, and the arts); and selected fields of innovation (including sustainability, nutrition, and energy provision). It also examines the transformative role of digitalization, including phenomena such as social media, digital platforms, and crowdsourcing. In addition, it covers innovation policy, regulatory frameworks, and methodological approaches to studying innovation. Featuring contributions from well-known scholars, this handbook serves as a valuable resource for understanding innovation research across the social sciences. Note: Parts of the handbook were translated from the original German manuscript using the help of an artificial intelligence machine translation tool. The translated content was subsequently revised by editors, chapter authors, and language editors to ensure accuracy and clarity.
