Erika Kraemer-Mbula – författare

The informal economy represents a significant share of output and employment in many developing countries. Yet little is known about this hidden engine of innovation. This pioneering study addresses some crucial questions, including: what is the role of the informal sector in economic development? How does innovation occur in the informal economy? How does it spread, who are the key actors and what impacts does it have? How do inventors and entrepreneurs in the informal economy reap benefits from their innovations? What stops informal sector innovation from scaling up? How can informal sector innovation in developing countries be measured? And what policies might support informal sector innovation and improve its impacts? This book will stimulate further work on this crucial but under-researched subject. As well as rich empirical evidence from several groundbreaking studies, it includes conceptual and methodological tools and policy recommendations to help researchers and policy-makers understand innovation in the informal economy.

Providing nuanced insight into key areas of innovation studies, this erudite second edition acknowledges the significance of innovation within the informal economy. It contributes to the broader scholarly discourse on innovation indicators and measurement, exploring the nature and rate of recent developments within the field. The Handbook of Innovation Indicators and Measurement showcases recent advancements within the field of innovation and provides an expansive commentary on contemporary issues such as the effect of the general definition of innovation on zero price products. Updated chapters emphasise rapid changes brought about by digital developments and provide a further examination of the influence of people on social and frugal innovation. This essential second edition will be valuable for university lecturers and academics of economics, public policy and innovation aspiring to update their course content. It will additionally be beneficial for those working in government departments pursuing more effective policy intervention.

Providing nuanced insight into key areas of innovation studies, this erudite second edition acknowledges the significance of innovation within the informal economy. It contributes to the broader scholarly discourse on innovation indicators and measurement, exploring the nature and rate of recent developments within the field.

The Handbook of Innovation Indicators and Measurement showcases recent advancements within the field of innovation and provides an expansive commentary on contemporary issues such as the effect of the general definition of innovation on zero price products. Updated chapters emphasise rapid changes brought about by digital developments and provide a further examination of the influence of people on social and frugal innovation.

This essential second edition will be valuable for university lecturers and academics of economics, public policy and innovation aspiring to update their course content. It will additionally be beneficial for those working in government departments pursuing more effective policy intervention.

A timely collection full of astute insights and critical analysis that helps to fill gaps in the literature on the dynamics and potential for innovation on the African continent. The COVID-19 crises brought into sharp focus the cross-cutting nature of science, technology and innovation (STI). Policy-makers, beyond those responsible for innovation policy, were suddenly required to effectively mobilise STI for a whole range of functions. This included science for decision-making as well as the identification and deployment of a wide range of innovations. The results of these efforts are mixed and explored in this volume in greater depth by a cohort of leading continental researchers. This collection is an essential primer for policymakers and researchers who wish to unlock transformative innovation for social and economic benefit.Imraan Patel, Deputy Director-General: Research Development and Support, Department of Science and Innovation, South AfricaThis book provides a thought-provoking and rich analysis of what COVID-19 meant for Africa. It is very timely because the continent needs to prepare for future shocks. This book goes to the heart of the needed policy response. It is not just about resilience but about transformation; about redirecting economies and societies towards addressing a wide range of economic social, and environmental challenges. It explores the role of innovation, including technological, social, frugal and other forms of bottom-up innovation. A must read for academics and policy-makers who care about the future of Africa and the worldProf. Johan Schot, Global History and Sustainability Transitions, Utrecht Centre for Global Challenges, Utrecht University, and Visiting Professor University of Johannesburg