UNU-MERIT books

2009
	Uneven Paths to Development: Information Hardware Innovation Systems in Asia and Africa by Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka & Rajah Rasiah Publisher: Edward Elgar, Cheltenham 2009 This book represents an important step forward towards understanding why some countries and regions are successful in catching-up with the rich part of the world while others tend to have great difficulties in doing so. It represents a very happy marriage between the literature on economic development and the literature on innovation and learning. At the end of the book a series of thoughtful recommendations for innovation policy are presented. This volume should be recommended to students and practitioners involved in understanding and promoting economic development. More information

2008
	A Economica da Inovação Industrial by Chris Freeman & Luc Soete Publisher: Editoria Unicamp, Campinas, Brazil 2008 978-85-268-0825-6 Portuguese translation of the third edition of "The Economics of Industrial Innovation" (1997) More information
	Making Choices about Hydrogen: Transport Issues for Developing Countries by Lynn K. Mytelka & Grant Boyle (Eds) Publisher: UNU Press and IDRC, Tokyo and Ottawa 2008 978-9280811551 Towards the end of the millennium, rising fuel prices and pollution levels, drew attention to the need for more innovative solutions to the problems of energy security, fuel efficiency and high levels of greenhouse gases but policy support for a concerted move towards clean fuels and alternatives to the internal combustion engine (ICE) was neither strong nor sustained as changes in the 1990 California Air Resources Board Zero Emission vehicle targets illustrated. The uncertainties that policy changes across the industrialized world produced has led to the development of a wide array of fuel options, from CNG to bio-ethanol, bio-diesel and hydrogen and of vehicles – including those with flex-fuel engines, electric vehicles, hybrids of various sorts and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This is raising new issues for developing countries in their role as both importers and producers of automobiles and auto parts. The papers in this volume include a selection of revised and updated papers first presented at the UNU-MERIT International Conference on Hydrogen Fuel Cells in November 2005, as well as a few invited papers. More information
	Internationalisation of European ICT Activities - Dynamics of Information and Communications Technology by Huub Meijers, Bernhard Dachs & Paul J. J. Welfens (Eds) Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany 2008 ISBN: 978-3-540-77108-1 The internationalisation of information and communication technologies has accelerated since the 1990s in Europe and worldwide. Taking a close look at the empirical analysis of competitive trade positions, trends in foreign direct investment and the internationalisation of research and development in ICT brings many new insights about the expansion, innovation and adjustment in the EU’s most dynamic sector. Moreover, the analysis discusses case studies on key players in ICT and suggests major policy conclusions for a field considered fundamental in the context of the EU’s Lisbon Agenda. The theoretical and empirical analysis gives a new and differentiated picture of European ICT where the links between telecommunications dynamics, software innovation and digital services are crucial. Outsourcing, insourcing and offshoring are natural elements of a new digital international division of labour which require reforms in both the EU member countries and at the supranational level. More information
	Multinational Enterprises And The Global Economy, Second Edition by John Dunning & Sarianna M. Lundan Publisher: Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK May 2008 978 1 84376 525 7 Since the initial publication of this book more than a decade ago, the economic, managerial and social implications of globalisation and technological advancement have become even more varied and prominent. Accompanying these developments, there has been a rise in scholarly interest in interdisciplinary research addressing the important challenges of an ever-changing physical and human environment. Drawing on articles and books from international business and economics, as well as economic geography, political economy and strategic management, a systematic overview of the developments in scholarly thinking is presented, while also highlighting the emerging topical issues and methodologies. This thoroughly updated and revised edition of a widely acclaimed, classic text will be required reading for academics, policymakers and advanced students of international business worldwide. Employing a distinctive and unified framework, this book draws together research across a range of academic fields to offer a synthesis of the determinants of MNE activity, and its effects on the economic and social well-being of developed and developing countries. Unique to the new edition is its focus on the institutional underpinnings of the resources and capabilities of MNEs, and the role of MNE activity in transmitting and facilitating institutional change. More information
	Uneven Paths Of Development - Innovation and Learning in Asia and Africa by Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka & Rajah Rasiah Publisher: Edward Elgar, Cheltenham Nov 2008 978 1 84720 906 1 This book represents an important step forward towards understanding why some countries and regions are successful in catching-up with the rich part of the world while others tend to have great difficulties in doing so. It represents a very happy marriage between the literature on economic development and the literature on innovation and learning. At the end of the book a series of thoughtful recommendations for innovation policy are presented. This volume should be recommended to students and practitioners involved in understanding and promoting economic development.’ More information
	Multinationals, Technology and Localization in Automotive Firms in Asia by Rajah Rasiah, Yuri Sadoi & Rogier Busser Publisher: Routledge, London May 2008 978-0-415-44067-7 East Asia has led rapid economic growth in the last few decades with India joining them over the last five years. Automotive parts manufacturers have been an important component of domestic production in all these economies. Experts with several years of multi-disciplinary research experience on the field examine the actual and potential technological and localization implications of MNC operations in East Asia and India. The rich collection of country experiences are both original and incisive. More information
	Knowledge Economies: Innovation, Organization and Location by Wilfred Dolfsma Publisher: Routledge, 978-0-415-41665-8 Mar 2008 ISBN: 978-0-415-41665-8 This book makes a strong and coherent contribution to the discussion of the knowledge economy and of innovation, offering a range of theoretical insights from different disciplinary perspectives. The role of knowledge, knowledge development, and knowledge diffusion is discussed at the micro level of individuals and firms, but also at the level of groups of firms and sectors, as well as at the level of the economy at large. Dolfsma analyses knowledge development and diffusion as a thoroughly social process, depending on communicative structures to support cooperation. The author combines insights from economics and management with perspectives from sociology (network theory), anthropology (gift exchange), social psychology, science studies and information theory (scientometrics), using empirical analyses to demonstrate where knowledge impacts the dynamics of an economy. More information
	Innovation Policy In Europe: Measurement and Strategy by Claire Nauwelaers & René Wintjes (Eds) Publisher: Edward Elgar Feb 2008 This book analyses the latest developments to innovation policy in Europe and offers recommendations for the future. The first part of the book discusses the use of indicators to inform policy-making, progressively shifting emphasis from traditional to less traditional innovation indicators, and from the national to the regional dimension. The second part investigates the internal dynamics of policy-making and explores the conditions to improve the effectiveness of innovation policies in Europe. More information

2007
	Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators in a Changing World: Responding to Policy Needs by Anthony Arundel, A. Colecchia & Fred Gault (Eds) Publisher: OECD, Paris 2007 As part of engaging a wider community of policy users and indicator developers, Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators in a Changing World: Responding to Policy Needs is a selection of the papers discussed at the OECD Blue Sky II Forum (Ottawa, 25-27 September 2006). Policy needs, measurement issues, and some of the challenges in describing cross-cutting and emerging topics in science, technology and innovation (STI) are presented; ideas to exploit existing data and develop new frameworks of measurement are shared. The intent of the debate is to guide future development of STI indicators at the OECD and beyond. More information
	Emerging Free and Open Source Software practices by Sulayman K. Sowe, Ioannis Stamelos & Ioannis Samoladas (Eds) Publisher: IGI Publishing, USA May 2007 978-1-59904-210-7 Project infrastructure and software repositories are now widely available at low cost with easy extraction, providing a foundational base to conduct detailed cyber-archeology at a scale not open to researchers before. Emerging Free and Open Source Software Practices provides a collection of empirical research acting as a focal point to the status of these repositories and infrastructures along with the F/OSS project. Emerging Free and Open Source Software Practices presents a framework and state-of-the-art references on F/OSS projects, reporting on past and on-going case studies of projects covering a wide range of F/OSS applications and domains. This book postulates trends in the evolution of software practices and solutions to the challenges ubiquitous nature free and open source software provides. More information
	Consuming symbolic Goods: Identity and commitment, values and economics by Wilfred Dolfsma Publisher: Routledge, London Nov 2007 978-0-415-45636-4 The phenomenon of consumption has increasingly drawn attention from economists. While the ‘sole purpose of production is consumption’, as Adam Smith has claimed, economists have up to recently generally ignored the topic. This book brings together a range of different perspectives on the topic of consumption that will finally shed the necessary light on a largely neglected theme. More information
	Fighting the War on File Sharing by Aernout Schmidt, Wilfred Dolfsma & Wim Keuvelaar Publisher: Asser Press 2007 ISBN 978-90-6704-238-3 The explosive growth of the Napster and KaZaA services shows that peer-to-peer file sharing has tremendous appeal in our information society. Nevertheless, current legal and economic practices prevent that these services achieve their full potential. Fighting the War on File Sharing looks into the issue from the perspectives of IT, economics and law and combines the results, pointing out ways how to reduce its escalation and to end the war. The approach and the solutions reached recognize the influence of outstanding work produced in different disciplines, such as law and information technology (Lessig), political anthropology (Douglas, Geertz, Smits), new institutional economics (Coase, North, Greif) and jurisprudence (Fuller, Bobbitt, Tamanaha). This book is very important to anyone concerned about how intellectual property law, economics and rhetoric fuel the war on file sharing, and, in general, to everyone interested in the future of the Media Industry on Internet. More information
	Information and Communication Technologies and SMEs in the Context of Globalization: Evidence from the Developing World by Kaushalesh Lal Publisher: Palgrave-Macmillan, New York Nov 2007 This book makes an important contribution to business, economic growth, and information and communication technologies led technical change literature. Evidence based on primary survey of firms, comes from firms located in three Continents, namely; Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Using advanced statistical and econometric techniques, the studies presented in the book have been able to capture the factors that are impediments in the adoption of new technologies. More information
	Innovation And Economic Development by Lynn K. Mytelka (Eds) Publisher: Edward Elgar 2007 The wide-ranging volume brings together the path-breaking work pioneering researchers in this field, as well as more recent studies by a new generation of researchers. The volume contains contributions by several UNU-MERIT staff and fellows including Lynn Mytelka, Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Rajah Rasiah, René Kemp, Luc Soete, Robin Cowan and Andy Hall. More information
	China: Building an Innovative Economy by Celeste Varum, Can Huang & Borges Gouveia Publisher: Chandos Publishing, UK 2007 This book provides a comprehensive description of China's innovation system through in-depth analysis of its transformation in the past two decades. Among other recent experiences the book analyses how China has reformed its industry and academy sector to meet the challenge of innovation and discusses prospects for its future development from an innovation and technology perspective. More information
	Industrial Clusters and Innovation Systems in Africa: Institutions, Markets and Policy by Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka & Dorothy McCormick Publisher: UNU Press, Tokyo May 2007 ISBN 92-808-1137-1, ISBN-13: 978-92-808-1137-7 This book is the first to examine the incidence and role of clusters as a viable and increasingly important form of industrial organization in Africa. It presents a series of theoretically grounded case studies that analyze clusters in different industrial sectors and at different levels of economic development. More information

2006
	New Frontiers In The Economics Of Innovation And New Technology - Essays in Honour of Paul A. David by Bronwyn Hall & W.E. Steinmueller (Eds) Publisher: Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK 2006 978 1 84720 323 6 Recent research on the economics of innovation has acknowledged the importance of path dependence and networks in the evolution of economies and the diffusion of new techniques, products, and processes. These are topics pioneered by Paul A. David, one of the world’s leading scholars in the economics of innovation. This collection provides a tribute to the diversity and depth of Paul David’s contributions. The papers included range from simulation models of the evolution of market structure in the presence of innovation, through historical investigations of knowledge networks and empirical analysis of contemporary networks, to the analysis of the diffusion of innovations using simulation and analytic models and of the diffusion of knowledge using patent data. More information
	Mental Capital by Rifka Weehuizen Publisher: COS 2006 In a knowledge economy, people work increasingly with their heads instead of their hands. This makes mental health a crucial component of economic growth. However, the knowledge economy leads to high levels of stress and mental health problems. By damaging its ‘mental capital’ the knowledge economy undermines the basis for its own success. These are some of the conclusions of the report ‘Mental Capital’ by Rifka Weehuizen. More information
	Enhancing Agricultural Innovation: How to Go Beyond the Strengthening of Research Systems by Andy Hall, Willem Janssen, Eija Pehu & Riikka Rajalahti Publisher: World Bank May 2006 ISBN 0-8213-6741-2 This paper assesses the usefulness of the innovation systems concept in guiding investments to support the development of agricultural technology. To that end, it develops an operational agricultural innovation systems concept for the World Bank’s client countries and collaborators. The manuscript has been produced through collaboration between the World Bank’s Agriculture and Rural Development Department and UNU-MERIT. More information
	Communication and Cooperation in the Virtual Workplace by Gaby Sadowski-Rasters, Geert Duysters & Bert Sadowski Publisher: Edward Elgar, UK Nov 2006 ISBN-10: 1845425871, ISBN-13: 978-1845425876 This innovative book explores the structure, growth and effectiveness of virtual communities in computer-mediated environments. In spite of initial enthusiasm, much uncertainty remains about the prospects of virtual teams and the technology that supports their collaboration. The book seeks to confront these issues and offers a unique insight into the realities of virtual working. More information
	Reflexive Governance for Sustainable Development by Jan-Peter Voss, Dierk Bauknecht & René Kemp (Eds) Publisher: Edward Elgar May 2006 This book deals with the issue of sustainable development in a novel and innovative way. It examines the governance implications of reflexive modernisation – the condition that societal development is endangered by its own side-effects. With conceptualising reflexive governance the book leads a way out of endless quarrels about the definition of sustainability and into a new mode of collective action. More information
	National Innovation, Indicators and Policy by Louise Earl & Fred Gault (Eds) Publisher: Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK Aug 2006 ISBN13 978 1 84542 287 5 This book takes stock of what is known about the process of innovation and its effects, and the policy interventions that influence both. It provides insights into future research required to support evidence-based policy-making and makes clear the need to take a systems approach to the analysis of innovation, its outcomes and its impacts. More information
	Understanding the Dynamics of a Knowledge Economy by Wilfred Dolfsma & Luc Soete (Eds) Publisher: Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK May 2006 ISBN 13 978 1 84542 307 0 The ‘knowledge economy’ is a concept commonly deemed too ambiguous and elusive to hold any significance in current economic debate. This valuable book seeks to refute that myth. Presenting an important collection of views, from a number of leading scholars, this innovative volume visibly demonstrates that knowledge and information are a prime resource in driving the dynamics of an economy. More information
	Learning To Compete: Institutions, Technology and Enterprise in Africa by Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka Publisher: Ashgate Publishers Apr 2006 ISBN: 0 7546 4643 2 This book examines the institutional roots of the persistent differences in economic performance of firms, industries and countries in Africa. It draws attention to the role of institutions in supporting technical change and shows how technological progress is central to competitiveness in a global context. The role of initial conditions such as levels of literacy and natural endowment, the structure of industry and resource endowment are also emphasized. With its focus on how institutions shape systems of innovation this book makes a unique contribution to the debate about African development. More information
	SMEs and New Technologies: Learning E-Business and Development by Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka & Kaushalesh Lal Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Jul 2006 This books looks specifically at ICT adoption and learning trajectories in developing countries; a context characterized by skill deficiencies and weak institutional support. The authors employ a systemic theoretical framework and a variety of research techniques to present firm-level evidence on learning in firms in an Internet-based production environment. The book arrives at a typology of firms on the basis of technological capability and learning trajectories. It identifies systemic and institutional factors that foster the adoption of technologies and goes on to analyse these factors in a multivariate econometric framework. More information
	Industrial Innovation and Environmental Regulation: Developing Workable Solutions by Saeed Parto (Eds) Publisher: UNU Press, Tokyo Dec 2006 ISBN 92-808-1127-4 What role should governments play in protecting the environment and controlling the environmental impacts of industry? Do regulations benefit the environment, and how do they affect industrial innovation? The contributors to this book examine a number of political and industrial trends and responses to these challenges. A useful set of case studies appraise environmental policies and comprehensive statements on environmental protection and sustainable development by numerous countries in the North and the South. More information

2005
	The Dynamics of Socio-Economic Development. An Introduction by Adam Szirmai Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2005 ISBN-13: 9780521817639 | ISBN-10: 0521817633 Why are poor countries poor and rich countries rich? How are wealth and poverty related to changes in nutrition, health, life expectancy, education, population growth and politics? This modern, non-technical introduction to development studies explores the dynamics of socio-economic development and stagnation in developing countries. Taking a quantitative and comparative approach to contemporary debates within their broader context, Szirmai examines historical, institutional, demographic, sociological, political and cultural factors. More information
	Sustainable Development and Innovation in the Energy Sector by Thomas Ziesemer Publisher: Springer, Heidelberg/New York 2005 ISBN: 978-3-540-23103-5 Almost every energy scenario assumes an enormous growth in the demand for energy in the coming decades. Meanwhile, at international conferences and other venues, the primary concern is massive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, especially of the CO2 produced by fossil-fuel energy consumption. Experts also point out the political risk of depending on petroleum and remind us of the fact that resources are not inexhaustible. This timely book explores: how these conflicting scenarios could be reconciled; how can we shape a more sustainable energy system from the existing one; and possible technological progress and innovations to enable a brighter future. It also addresses the reality that there exists no consensus on the extent to which innovations can really contribute to reconciling ever-growing energy consumption, availability of resources and the environment, and the structural demands on any energy system. More information
	The Economics of the Digital Society by Luc Soete & Bas ter Weel (Eds) Publisher: Edward Elgar Nov 2005 This book questions how modern economies have been transformed as a result of digital goods and markets, and explores the policy implications and challenges of this revolution. The authors have assembled leading economists and social scientists to provide an invaluable insight into the influence of the digital society in the core fields of economics. They offer a comprehensive overview of the changes that information and communication technologies (ICTs) have brought about in our analysis and understanding of society, focusing particularly upon welfare economics, networks, the diffusion of new businesses and new forms of entrepreneurship, the auctioning of licences, the much-debated role of intellectual property rights and the emergence of free software in the open-source movement. More information
	Regulating Bioprospecting: Institutions for Drug Research, Access and Benefit-Sharing by Padmashree Gehl Sampath Publisher: UNU Press, Tokyo Oct 2005 ISBN 92-808-1112-6 Bioprospecting, or the search for useful biochemical compounds and genes in nature, has been the focus of international negotiations for more than a decade, yet the debate on the terms for access to genetic resources, traditional knowledge and benefit-sharing is far from settled. This book examines the optimal property rights structures and institutional mechanisms for regulating bioprospecting for drug research. Focusing on the economics of contracts, it shows that the rights exchanged are complementary at each stage of drug discovery and the development of genetic resources. More information
	Collaboration, Ownership and the Digital Economy by Rishab Aiyer Ghosh (Eds) Publisher: MIT Press, Cambridge May 2005 ISBN-10: 0-262-07260-2, ISBN-13: 978-0-262-07260-1 The contributors to CODE, from such diverse fields as economics, anthropology, law, and software development, examine collaborative creativity from a variety of perspectives, looking at new and old forms of creative collaboration and the mechanisms emerging to study them. Discussing the philosophically resonant issues of ownership, property, and the commons, they ask if the increasing application of the language of property rights to knowledge and creativity constitutes a second enclosure movement -- or if the worldwide acclaim for free software signifies a renaissance of the commons. More information

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