Clusters of Creativity

"An innovative book for an innovative topic." Charles Hampden-Turner

Like the subject matter it covers, Clusters of Creativity is innovative and original. It breaks with popular interpretations of Silicon Valley and similar regions, which range from the hyperbolically laudatory to the contemptuously dismissive, and takes a critical, objective look at the lessons that these locations provide about innovation and entrepreneurship.

Readable, yet rigorous in its analyses, the book provides a practical and balanced set of perspectives on how the powers of business creativity are fostered and sustained. It focuses not so much on the generations of high technologies but on the motivations and strategies of business leaders who turn revolutionary innovations into commercial realities. Clusters of Creativity demystifies the many enigmas that surround two leading capitals of the modern global economy, providing insights on managing innovation and entrepreneurship that are both eye-opening and broadly applicable to all organizations and industries.

Clusters of Creativity will challenge assumptions, dispel myths, enlighten, inspire, and generally provoke thought. In an age where technology and hyperbole frequently go hand-in-hand, the book's well-founded insights are all the more refreshing and important.Silicon Valley ist bekannt für seinen spektakulären Erfolg: Zur Zeit beherbergt es 7.000 Unternehmen, vorrangig im Elektronik- und Softwarebereich und nicht weniger als 20% der größten High-Tech Unternehmen weltweit. Im Silicon Valley geht durchschnittlich alle 5 Tage ein Unternehmen an die Börse, und alle 24 Stunden werden 62 neue Millionäre geboren. Der Grund, warum das Silicon Valley so außerordentlich erfolgreich ist und viele andere High-Tech Regionen übertrifft, liegt darin, dass es drei grundlegende Energien angezapft hat: das Streben nach Wissen, der Drang nach Innovation und unerschrockenen Unternehmergeist. Obwohl der außergewöhnliche Erfolg des Silicon Valley weiter anhält, kann man nicht länger davon ausgehen, dass es nur EIN Silicon Valley gibt und alle anderen Technologiezentren in der Welt nur billige Kopien des Originals sind. "Silicon Fen" in Cambridge, England und "Silicon Island" in Taiwan im Hsinchu Science Park nutzen die gleichen wirtschaftlichen Kräfte sehr effektiv. "Clusters of Creativity" analysiert das Silicon Valley im Zusammenhang mit den Erfolgen von Cambridge und Hsinchu im internationalen Massenmarkt. Von Geschichte, Kultur und Zweck her sind sie eher verschieden, von der Dynamik her, sind sie jedoch ähnlich. Dieses Buch untersucht, wie Silicon Valley funktioniert und wie man Wissen, Innovation und Unternehmertum - ein erprobtes Rezept für Wertschöpfung - in anderen Unternehmen und Regionen in die Praxis umsetzt. Acknowledgements.

Introduction: The Hidden Lessons of "Siliconia".

SILICON VALLEY.

Introduction.

From semi-desert to Silicon Valley.

Valley dynamism.

Valley Innovators.

Post-silicon Silicon Valley.

EUROPE'S SILICON FEN.

Introduction.

The Phenomenon of Cambridge.

Phenomenally Innovative.

The Future of the Phenomenon.

Epilogue: A Silicon World?

Endnotes.

Index.

Valley Innovators. "…an interesting study on the world of high-tech innovation…" (Business Plus, February 2003)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rob Koepp is a director of the strategy consultancy, Intercedent Asia, and Adjunct Professor of the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California. A globally active manager, consultant, educator, and writer, he has led marketing and technology development projects in and between the US, Asia, and Europe and advises a variety of organizations in the private and public sectors. He lectures frequently on the topics of innovation management, international entrepreneurship, and global business strategy. His written and spoken commentary appear in The Economist publication Business Asia, Dow Jones’ Far Eastern Economic Review, and Oxford Economic Forecasting’s International Industry Report, among others. A former Thomas J. Watson Fellow, he holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge and a BA from Pomona College in Claremont, California.

Like the subject matter it covers, Clusters of Creativity is innovative and original. It breaks with popular interpretations of Silicon Valley and similar regions, which range from the hyperbolically laudatory to the contemptuously dismissive, and takes a critical, objective look at the lessons that these locations provide about innovation and entrepreneurship.

Readable, yet rigorous in its analyses, the book provides a practical and balanced set of perspectives on how the powers of business creativity are fostered and sustained. It focuses not so much on the generations of high technologies but on the motivations and strategies of business leaders who turn revolutionary innovations into commercial realities. Clusters of Creativity demystifies the many enigmas that surround two leading capitals of the modern global economy, providing insights on managing innovation and entrepreneurship that are both eye-opening and broadly applicable to all organizations and industries.

Clusters of Creativity will challenge assumptions, dispel myths, enlighten, inspire, and generally provoke thought. In an age where technology and hyperbole frequently go hand-in-hand, the book’s well-founded insights are all the more refreshing and important.