One of the most important economic events in recent decades has been the ongoing process of European integration. This book provides a basic yet rigorous understanding of the current issues and problems of economic integration and innovation in Europe, and argues that national or regional economic development depends mainly on technical change, social and human capital, and knowledge creation and diffusion. This is clearly evident in the role of the quadruple innovation helix of government, university, industry and civil society.Uniquely, the book examines the many aspects and consequences of the integration process that are obscure or as yet under-researched. The authors explore a wide range of topics, methodologies and perspectives in order to provide a stimulating and wide-ranging analysis.

The Innovation Union in Europe will be of interest to students, economic theorists, empirical and social scientists, and policy makers as well as the informed general reader.

Contributors: E.G. Carayannis, U. Gråsjö, C. Karlsson, A. Kokkinou, G.M. Korres, A. Lagendijk, A.O. Nakamura, L.I. Nakamura, M. Nakamura, K. Varró, P. Warda