The entrepreneur is involved in the dance of two questions – what is needed and what is possible. The interplay of these two questions is an ongoing process and innovation varies internationally and regionally, depending on differing legal and policy systems, variations in the development of education and skill development, in social processes and in knowledge transfer. This book explores innovation and networks in entrepreneurship with an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on how old and new knowledge can be combined to produce radical innovation.

These chapters combine themes of entrepreneurship, innovation and networks with a specifically European focus, highlighting the wide variations at the national, regional and business level. These variations suggest the need to break with traditional stereotypes about Southern and Northern Europe. The book takes a Schumpeterian perspective, emphasising the importance of looking at the history of entrepreneurship and innovation, paying particular attention to the neglected area of innovation in services within firms.

Reviews

"This volume makes an important contribution to reviving the Schumpeterian approach to entrepreneurship research, combining theoretical sophistication with historical perspective. It is a must read for entrepreneurship scholars from all disciplines." – R. Daniel Wadhwani, Assistant Professor, Eberhardt School of Business, University of the Pacific

Contents

Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction : Innovation and Entrepreneurial Networks in Europe. Paloma Fernandez Perez and Mary B Rose. 2. Networks in Economic and Business History : A Theoretical Perspective. Mark Casson. 3. Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Networks : A Dance of Two Questions Mike Parsons and Mary B. Rose. 4. Management Consultancies and Organizational Innovation in Europe. Matthias Kipping. 5. Uncovering the Bottom of the Iceberg : Innovation and Large Family Firms in Spanish Metal Manufacturing. Paloma Fernández P&eacut. Patterns of Innovation, Strategies and Structures in the Italian Chemical Industry (1973-2003). Andrea Colli. 7. Competitive Behaviour and Business Innovations in the Forestry Industry: Family Firms and Listed Firms in Comparison. Jari Ojala, Juha-Antti Lamberg and Anders Melander. 8. Networks, Cartels and Innovations in Finland 1945-84. Jani Saarinen. 9. Networks of Opportunity and the Spanish Pharmaceutical Industry. Núria Puig. 10. Knowledge Circulation in Innovation Networks in the 20th Century : Its Importance for Innovations in Small and Large Companies in the Netherlands. Mila Davids, Eric Berkers, Harry Lintsen, Arjan van Rooij, Sue-Yen Tjong & Frank Veraart. Contributors. References. Index.

Author Bio

Paloma Fernández Pérez has a PhD in history from the University of California and is Assistant Professor of Economic History at the University of Barcelona. Her research interests are family business, innovation, entrepreneurial networks, and lobbies. She has publi...