The Evolution of Science-Based Business: Innovating How We Innovate
Science has long been connected to innovation and thus to the business enterprise. However, the nature of the connection between science and business in recent decades has begun to change in important ways. On the one hand, we have witnessed the decline of corporate industrial laboratories. At the same time, we have seen the emergence Continue reading…








The best innovation books of 2009 selected by BusinessWeek highlight four major subjects: (1) Design-driven innovation: how design strategies are shaping the future of businesses, (2) Innovation in uncertain times: how to reduce risk in periods of crisis, (3) Intelligent innovation: how to tap into the power of creativity,
Innovation is a top priority for companies seeking to grow in the wake of the economic downturn, but flaws in managing innovation may hinder their progress. New Accenture research indicates that many companies in the US and UK have, in fact, increased innovation funding during the downturn, demonstrating innovation’s perceived value as a driver of business growth.
Booz & Company’s 2009 edition of the Global Innovation 1000 report finds large R&D spenders are keeping the pace when it comes to developing new products and services despite fiscal challenges presented by the economic downturn. The top 10 global R&D spenders in 2008 were, in descending order: Toyota, Nokia, Roche Holding, Microsoft, General Motors, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Ford, Novartis, and Sanofi-Aventis.
The Business Week Magazine publishes a special report entitled “Growth Through Innovation” which looks at how innovation can steer a company’s strategy, even in tough times. 
The UK’s Royal Society has recently published the findings of a major study on the role of science in services sector innovation. Entitled “Hidden Wealth: the contribution of science to service sector innovation”, the report highlights the wider significance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to the services sector, which makes up around three quarters of the UK economy.