Philip Shapira - Böcker

Rethinking Regional Innovation and Change brings together papers from leading international scholars in the field of regional development and policy. Up-to-date case studies present diverse theoretical perspectives from economics, political science, geography, planning, and public policy.

Selecting, training, and managing the scientists, engineers, and technologists who develop new products and apply new technologies is a critical challenge for managers and policymakers worldwide. Nine analysts from universities and research centers in four major industrialized nations find that while companies maintain distinctive approaches to managing their R&D workers, the pressures of technological change and global competition are forcing them to rethink the entire operation. To be taken into consideration now are such factors as group dynamics, intra- and intercompany linkages, research authority and flexibility, research sources, career paths, reward systems, and personal and team development—all of which are covered here. An unusual comparative study for top management and their human resource and planning staffs, and for academics concerned with all aspects of organizational behavior, training, and development.The scientists, engineers, and technologists who develop new products and apply new technologies—collectively, the R&D workers—are vital in today's competitive and technologically demanding business environment. Of critical importance is how these R&D workers are selected, trained, and managed, and how their activities are linked to other aspects of production. Using a variety of methods, eight analysts from the International Research Group on R&D Management, a unique interdisciplinary group of researchers from universities and research centers in four major industrialized nations, examine the organization and management of R&D workers in and between their respective countries.Drawing on data provided by more than 1,800 engineers and scientists in 23 companies, the authors find that while companies maintain distinctive approaches to managing their R&D workers, the pressures of technological change and global competition are forcing them to rethink their R&D methods. To be taken into consideration now are such factors as the underlying technical skills of the workers, group dynamics, intra- and intercompany linkages, research authority and flexibility, research resources, career paths, reward systems, and personal and team development—all of which are covered here, succinctly and readably. The result is a useful comparative study for top management and their human resource and planning staffs, R&D policymakers, and those concerned with all aspects of organizational behavior, training, and development.

Rethinking Regional Innovation and Change brings together papers from leading international scholars in the field of regional development and policy. The contributors examine the interactions between path-dependent developments, institutions, and governance structures that influence regional innovation capacity. Up-to-date case studies present diverse theoretical perspectives from economics, political science, geography, planning, and public policy.  " Taken as a whole, the volume offers a broad and up-to-date perspective on the inheritance aspect of an area's future. Without exception, the chapters are insightful, interesting and a pleasure to read. Let us hope that this excellent work will find its way to the desks of authorities in charge for regional policy. If anything, the book still urges policy makers to start from the simple piece of wisdom that regions tend to go from where they are coming. Paradoxically, it is from this very notion of path dependency that most regional breakthroughs can be expected. " (Gert-Jan Hospers, Regions, Volume 256, April 2005)

Innovation underpins competitiveness, is crucial to addressing societal challenges, and its support has become a major public policy goal. But what really works in innovation policy, and why? This Handbook, compiled by leading experts in the field, is the first comprehensive guide to understanding the logic and effects of innovation polices. The Handbook develops a conceptualization and typology of innovation policies, presents meta-evaluations for 16 key innovation policy instruments and analyses evidence on policy-mix. For each policy instrument, underlying rationales and examples are presented, along with a critical analysis of the available impact evidence. Providing access to primary sources of impact analysis, the book offers an insightful assessment of innovation policy practice and its evaluation. The Handbook's final chapter draws overall conclusions, reflects on the merits and limits of evaluation and impact analysis in innovation policy and suggests tangible improvements.This Handbook is an indispensable source for researchers, analysts, students and practitioners of innovation policy at all levels, as well as all those interested in policy analysis and evaluation more generally.Contributors include: K. Blind, J. Cassingena Harper, P. Cunningham, J. Edler, K. Flanagan, A. Gök, D. Grimshaw, B. Jones, C. Köhler, P. Larédo, R. Ramlogan, C. Rammer, J. Rigby, P. Shapira, E. Uyarra, J. Youtie

Learning from Science and Technology Policy Evaluation presents US and European experiences and insights on the evaluation of policies and programs to foster research, innovation, and technology (RIT). In recent years, policymakers have promoted RIT policies to accelerate scientific and technological development in emerging fields, encourage new patterns of research collaboration and commercialization, and enhance national and regional economic competitiveness. At the same time, budgetary pressures and new public management approaches have strengthened demands for RIT performance measurement and evaluation. The contributors - leading experts in science and technology policy and evaluation - analyze and contrast the need and demand for RIT performance measurement and evaluation within the US and European innovation and policy making systems. They assess current US and European RIT evaluation practices and methods in key areas, discuss applications of new evaluative approaches and consider strategies that could lead to improvements in RIT evaluation design and policies. This up-to-date volume examining current and leading-edge evaluation methodologies will make a valuable addition to the libraries of research and innovation policymakers and analysts, educators and students of science and technology policy.