Networks of Innovation

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This series of lectures explores the role of networks in the innovation process—first in the generation of new ideas and the recognition of new opportunities and, second, in the execution of those ideas—and the implications for innovations advancing global sustainability.

Networks of Innovation, I
The challenges of idea generation and opportunity recognition remains one of the least understood capabilities of individuals and organizations. Professor Hargadon combines evidence from historic and modern innovations in "sustainable" technologies to examine the dynamics of innovation and provide a theory that builds less on the scientific breakthrough and creative genius and more on the ability of individuals and organizations to exploit their networks to create innovations from existing resources and opportunities.

Networks of Innovation, II
The difference between successful and failed ventures is often determined by the subtle but critical details of their design and execution. Using historic and current cases of successful and failed innovations, Professor Hargadon provides framework for understanding how design and execution affect the success of both change efforts in sustainability, and outlines successful strategies that individuals and firms have used to advance new technological platforms.

Some additional readings on this topic:

How Breakthroughs Happen, this book sums up my early research on the networks driving innovation.

FastCompany Article, this article describes the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center and its networked approach to fostering innovation.

The diffusion of innovation, a quick synopsis of the "Diffusion of Innovations" literature, which we won't have time to go into in these lectures.

American Genesis, by Thomas Hughes and one of the truly great histories of technological evolution and how it shaped our country. A must read for someone wanting to alter or displace the systems this evolution has left us with.

For more suggested readings on the management, on innovation and entrepreneurship, and on business history, I've compiled a set of lists here