A theoretical critique of the patent and innovation policy funnelled by intellectual property instruments towards developing countries.

This textbook introduces readers to the economics of innovation, covering innovation basics, the measurement of returns to innovation for individuals and the economy, and the use of intellectual property protection by innovators. The book focuses on the various ways patents have been used by industry to secure returns to innovation, as well as the strategic use of patents, and it emphasizes present-day technologies, such as pharmaceuticals and AI. Clearly organized and highly readable, the text offers a useful introduction to economics, business, public policy, and legal studies, and provides a comprehensive collection of references and information from a variety of sources across disciplines.

China’s efforts in searching for new sources of growth are increasingly pressing given the persistence of the growth slowdown in recent years. This year’s book elucidates key present macroeconomic challenges facing China’s economy in 2017, and the impacts and readiness of human capital, innovation and technological change in affecting the development of China’s economy. The book explores the development of human capital as the foundations of China’s push into more advanced growth frontiers. It also explores the progress of productivity improvement in becoming the primary mechanism by which China can sustain economic growth, and explains the importance of China’s human capital investments to success on this front. The book demonstrates that technical change is a major contributor to productivity growth; and that invention and innovation are increasingly driving technical change but so far lumpily across regions, sectors and invention motivations. Included are chapters providing an update on reform and macroeconomic development, educational inequality, the role of intangibles in determining China’s economic growth, and China’s progress in transitioning towards being an innovative country. The book also covers the regional dimension of innovation and technological progress by sector: in agricultural productivity, renewable energy and financial markets. Chapters on trade, investment, regional cooperation and foreign aid explore further the mechanisms through which technological change and innovative activities are emerging locally and internationally.

Is there a "new learning economy"? This publication, which views the debate from the perspective of a regional learning economy, clearly answers in the affirmative.

Providing a panoramic overview of the field, this Handbook examines the intellectual property (IP) rights that protect artistic and inventive works, demonstrating that innovation and creativity require appropriate practical institutions alongside imagination and inspiration. Advancing key debates in the field, it identifies important reforms and mechanisms to improve IP systems for both the creators and users of protected works.

When it comes to high-tech innovations, the United States leads the path amongst OECD economies. However, in the context of the national record-breaking activities in high tech innovation, there lies distinct and growing geographical disparities. This report dives into strategies for better understanding innovation that occurs in rural places, and places outside major metropolitan areas, often going beyond science and technology.

Examines the role of international Ricardian specialization in economic development processes. Laursen (Copenhagen Business School) considers whether countries converge or diverge in terms of specialization patterns over time; if the role of technology can explain the direction of national trade specialization; and the implications of international specialization patterns and their changes for economic growth. Appreciative theories, neo-classical theories, post-Keynesian approaches, and evolutionary approaches are discussed in relation to each of the three issues. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR