Eunika Mercier-Laurent

When faced with new global challenges propelled by social, financial, economic, health and environmental crisis, the leaders of today need alternative answers to those posed by traditional policies. In this book, Mercier-Laurent and Edvinsson consider a cutting-edge thought methodology for solving global challenges - by looking at societal innovation through the lens of an analogy to cooking. How might we apply the power of cooking to connect imagination, knowledge, know-how and pleasure to real-world problems? Envisioning an ecosystem dynamic which connects various components, and requires multiple resources with the aim of securing sustainable well-being, the authors showcase initiatives for societal innovation which involve the use of diverse talents, evolving behaviours, thinking differently, adapting to the use of technology and close attention to human purpose. Demonstrating that the possibilities of technology are underused for solving critical problems because of the continual perpetuation of the same cognitive approaches, time and time again, this book makes a crucial intervention by serving up a new perspective on obtaining a sustainable and prosperous future that traditional approaches have so far not reached. By presenting a broad range of promising experiments from around the world, the authors inspire readers to re-imagine their idea of how societal innovation might be achieved. In this book they provide the first of many new recipes for successful global change-making.

In a world of increasing population, this book explores the ways in which technological progress can provide smart energy management strategies to maximize resources.Energy is essential to the survival and development of mankind. Increased pressure on existing resources now requires wiser energy management, in addition to the discovery of new resources. Challenges such as the global trend of “cheaper?, exponentially increasing demand in new geographies, and current climate change policies now call for new approaches and ways of thinking about energy use which consider the impact on all involved actors, and on nature. Energy generation and management can be made more efficient by making use of technological progress and sharing global experience in the smart use of this resource. This book presents a knowledge-based review of the past, present and future of energy usage, with mathematical, modeling, economic, technological and environmental perspectives. The ideas and experiences shared here propose wiser energy management as a system component of natural ecosystems.

This book addresses those involved in research or R&D. It introduces the principles of eco-innovation and the importance of the impact of their activity. This topic is considered in the context of natural and digital ecosystems powered by intelligent assistants (technology). Chapter 1 positions the innovation as a process and component of ecosystems including research, enterprises, technology (digitalecosystems) and environment. Sustainable success is a condition of survival and an expectation of those who invest in innovation. Chapter 2 describes the main elements to consider and gives some tips. Chapter 3 presents some selected initiatives at the national and European level and provides a way of measuring success.

The capacity to innovate is a fundamental resource for organizations as well as the true wealth of a society. To contribute fully to the prosperity of an organization, region or country, the innovation process - which is not only technology-based - requires the implementation of knowledge dynamics between domains that are often treated in isolation. This dynamic is based on a synergy between humans and intelligent machines. For several years, innovation has been omnipresent and part of strategic matters. The word "innovation" is in the headlines of reports, articles and business media, and is also the subject of events, projects, think tanks, clubs and blogs. Several forums on social networks are devoted to its various facets. It is a global phenomenon. This book introduces the concept of "e-co-innovation" which brings a better understanding of the successful transition from idea to reality and ultimate value. The motivation behind this book is to introduce a global and system overview of the subject, to present the various aspects of innovation from different angles and perspectives to finally bring the reader to an understanding of all ecosystem components, their metamorphoses, cross-influences and possible impacts on the balanced development of people, businesses, regions and countries.