Closing the Innovation Gap: Reigniting the Spark of Creativity in a Global Economy

One of the business world’s most highly regarded innovators offers her ideas on how to close the innovation gap Is innovation magic, luck, or just another process to be managed? Are innovators born or taught? Written by one of the technology industry’s most respected entrepreneurs and innovators, Closing the Innovation Gap answers those and other important questions for business leaders, entrepreneurs, public policy makers, academics, and anyone interested in America’s future. Entrepreneur and former Cisco CTO Judy Estrin explores the evolution of science and technology after World War II to illustrate why innovation is so crucial to economic, social, and cultural development. Without a thriving “innovation ecosystem,” says Estrin, the United States will not be able to leverage rapidly-changing conditions and prevail in the emerging global economy. She outlines the distinctive life-cycles of each area of this ecosystem-- research, development, and application--and goes on to describe the forces that are eroding it, explaining clearly how and why companies and countries lose their innovative edge. Then she offers practical advice and guidance on what business leaders, policy makers, entrepreneurs, and educators can do to reignite the spark of scientific and technological creativity in organizations and the country.

From the Back Cover "Required reading for whoever takes over the Oval Office in January." -Therest Ploletti, MarketWatch “Judy Estrin has zeroed in on the lack of long-term thinking in business and culture that is one of the gravest problems we face today. Her urgent call to action is a must-read for anyone interested in fostering and accelerating innovation in their business or organization.” -Bob Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company "Deeply thought-provoking. An extraordinary tapestry of commentary drawn from scores of interviews and woven into a coherent fabric about innovation and why it must be a part of America's future." -Vint Cerf, vice president and chief Internet evangelist, Google "Concerned about the future of America's role in the global economy? Then, whether you're a business leader, educator or policy maker, you should read this book. America achieved greatness through its ability to engineer, explore and innovate. Estrin provides a fresh perspective on the importance of innovation to our future, and shines a bright light on the problems we face in rebuilding its crumbling cultural and educational foundations." Sally K. Ride, Ph.D., first American woman astronaut

ISBN : 9780071499873, Author : Judy Estrin, Publisher : McGraw Hill - 2009, Dimensions : 23.1 x 15.5 x 2.3 cm, Paperback : 272 pages