This volume addresses the challenges faced by value-added networking and innovation both for firms' strategies and public policies in a context increasingly influenced by dynamics of interacting networks that underlie knowledge creation, diffusion, and utilization. Part one deals with national institutions and policies to support science, networking and innovation, ranging from legislation affecting university - business relationships, national support systems for high-technology firms, to systems through which country brands can be developed. Emphasis is placed on lessons that can be learned from policies concerning wind turbines and from policies that enhance knowledge and technology transfers from universities.Part two addresses the need for value-added learning by local and regional governments concerning the building of an innovation systems and the adoption of new ICT applications in cities. Part three focuses on firms, their management and strategies, and their performance in terms of innovativeness and growth. The impact of R&D on the productivity of firms, the basic requirements for firms to innovate and grow, and the human dimension in management are discussed. Volume contributors are from Denmark, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States.
