A new nature of innovation is emerging. In order to formulate appropriate innovation policy encompassing a new nature of innovation, it is important to understand how the nature of innovation is changing. Innovation is no longer mainly about science and technology. Firms can innovate in other ways. Co-creation, user involvement, environmental and societal challenges increasingly drive innovation today. Collaborative, global networking and new public private partnerships are becoming crucial elements in companies’ innovation process.

This report is funded jointly by the Danish and Finnish governments and analyzes new emerging forms and new areas of innovation and how governments are responding to the new nature of innovation. The study is a contribution to the ongoing OECD innovation strategy work.

We are convinced that a better understanding of the new nature of innovation, supported by case studies from both the private and public sector, will inspire the way in which we think innovation and create the best conditions for our countries to become global leaders on innovation.

Lene Espersen
Minister of Economic and Business Affairs
Denmark
September 2009
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Mauri Pekkarinen
Minister of Economic Affairs
Finland
September 2009