In most discussions about the knowledge-based economy, innovation is associated or even equated with technology, while culture’s influence is ignored. Innovation is however embedded in cultural and social contexts, and neglecting these crucial contexts may impede an innovation’s diffusion—and eventual success.

This book places culture at the center of discussions on innovation, beginning with a comprehensive introduction to innovation’s various forms, including the history, sociology, and economics of innovation. Insights from marketing and psychology are integrated into a...