Innovation by Design: Impact and Effectiveness of Public Support for Business Innovation (Annals of Science and Technology Policy)
We often picture innovation as a lone genius in a garage, or a scrappy startup fueled by pure grit. This romantic image, while compelling, often obscures the complex, deliberate scaffolding that allows groundbreaking ideas to take root. David Wolfe's work pulls back the curtain on the invisible hand of public support, showing how government policies, funding, and regulatory environments aren't just peripheral players, but active architects of our innovative future. We see companies chasing grants that dictate their research, or regulations that inadvertently stifle nascent technologies, revealing the 'double-edged design' of well-intentioned support. This isn't just about direct investment; it's about cultivating an entire ecosystem – from education to IP laws – where creativity can organically thrive. Innovation isn't just about brilliant ideas; it's about the environment in which those ideas can breathe, grow, and transform. Understanding this shift is crucial for anyone hoping to foster genuine progress.