Diversity in the Knowledge Economy and Society: Heterogeneity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The key message of this book is that heterogeneity should be seen as an intrinsic and indispensable element of knowledge systems. The authors address the concept of heterogeneity in a multi-disciplinary fashion, including perspectives from evolutionary economics and innovation system studies, and relate this approach to existing theories in a broad range of fields.

The book postulates that one approach to such a re-conceptualization is what we call the ‘Mode 3’ system consisting of ‘Innovation Networks’ and ‘Knowledge Clusters’ for knowledge creation, diffusion and use. This is a multi-layered, multi-modal, multi-nodal and multi-lateral system, encompassing mutually and complementary reinforcing innovation networks and knowledge clusters consisting of human and intellectual capital, shaped by social capital and underpinned by financial capital.

Diversity in the Knowledge Economy and Society will appeal to academics and researchers of innovation and science, knowledge management and economics.