Mikael Stenkula – författare

This open access book offers a critical examination of large-scale, state-led green industrial policies, with a particular focus on the European Union. Drawing on empirical evidence from sectors such as ethanol, hydrogen, wind power, and biogas, it reveals how well-intentioned “Green Deals” often result in speculative investment bubbles—termed “green bubbles”—rather than sustainable industrial transformation. Contributors analyze the systemic risks of mission-oriented policies that prioritize political goals over technological neutrality and economic viability. The volume highlights the consequences of overinvestment, technological lock-in, and politicized capitalism, while proposing more evidence-based, innovation-driven alternatives. It is an essential resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to understand and improve the design of green industrial strategies.

This open access book raises some central questions: Do we need moonshot policies to spur innovation and economic growth? What are the risks associated with such policies?Economic turbulence, the COVID-19 pandemic, and mounting environmental concerns have paved the way for a renaissance of targeted industrial policy. In particular, the idea that society should be organized around large missions is gaining momentum among high-income economies. However, the authors and editors of this volume contend that this shift has occurred without much critical examination, especially as the European Union has adopted these ideas, and Western economies are now increasingly organizing toward the achievement of large, state-formulated goals.Recognizing the urgent need for continued scholarly attention to question notions of the mission economy, more than 20 scholars discuss the dangers of top-down/vertical approaches to industrial policy and draw attention to the progress of independent enterprise, entrepreneurialism, and market solutions in a sound economy and society. By critically examining mission-oriented innovation policies, using theoretical perspectives and empirical investigations, the book highlights both the mechanisms behind failed missions and alternative approaches. This is a must-read for policy researchers and policymakers alike.

This open access book raises some central questions: Do we need moonshot policies to spur innovation and economic growth? What are the risks associated with such policies?Economic turbulence, the COVID-19 pandemic, and mounting environmental concerns have paved the way for a renaissance of targeted industrial policy. In particular, the idea that society should be organized around large missions is gaining momentum among high-income economies. However, the authors and editors of this volume contend that this shift has occurred without much critical examination, especially as the European Union has adopted these ideas, and Western economies are now increasingly organizing toward the achievement of large, state-formulated goals.Recognizing the urgent need for continued scholarly attention to question notions of the mission economy, more than 20 scholars discuss the dangers of top-down/vertical approaches to industrial policy and draw attention to the progress of independent enterprise, entrepreneurialism, and market solutions in a sound economy and society. By critically examining mission-oriented innovation policies, using theoretical perspectives and empirical investigations, the book highlights both the mechanisms behind failed missions and alternative approaches. This is a must-read for policy researchers and policymakers alike.

This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. The authors of this book advise the economies of the European Union to become more entrepreneurial in promoting innovation and economic growth.

This open access book is an outcome of the EU’s Horizon 2020 project ‘Financial and Institutional Reforms for an Entrepreneurial Society’ (FIRES). Building on historical, economic and legal analysis, and combining methods and data across disciplines, the authors provide policymakers, stakeholders and scholars with valuable new tools for assessing and improving Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystems. Then experts from Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom discuss tailored strategies for introducing entrepreneurial policy reforms in their respective countries.

This open access book is an outcome of the EU’s Horizon 2020 project ‘Financial and Institutional Reforms for an Entrepreneurial Society’ (FIRES).

Information for international buyers:Understanding Entrepreneurship is available for purchase on Amazon.co.uk, bokus.com and Adlibris.com. You can also purchase it directly from Studentlitteratur by clicking “köp” above. Note that on studentlitteratur.se and most other Swedish sites the check-out will be in Swedish. The price on Studentlitteratur.se is approximately 36 EUR (324 SEK including VAT), shipping not included. Note: the price may change due to currency fluctuations.If you have any questions, or need help interpreting the Swedish check-out, please contact: eric.rehn@studentlitteratur.seWhat is entrepreneurship and why is it crucial for our society? How does entrepreneurship affect economic development and how can it be encouraged? This book explores these questions, discussing how entrepreneurial activity is driven by different factors.Understanding Entrepreneurship provides a comprehensive description of entrepreneurship, and explores how it plays a decisive role in creating growth, employment and prosperity. The book is based on a wide-ranging study of current research, and discusses entrepreneurship in a real world context, looking at how it influences contemporary society. The authors also examine how taxes, regulations, and government policy can facilitate productive entrepreneurial activity.Understanding Entrepreneurship is designed as a core textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in entrepreneurship. It is also suitable reading for undergraduate courses in economics and economic history that aim to explain growth and evolutionary change.