Josef Fröhlich Books

Recent scientific interest has focused on the triangular relationship between knowledge, complexity, and innovation systems. The concept of innovation systems suggests that innovations arise not as isolated events but through interactions among various actors or agents. These interactions exhibit specific characteristics that tend to persist over time and are common across national, regional, sectoral, and technological systems. These systems can be visualized as networks of institutional actors and interactions aimed at producing and diffusing knowledge. A key theoretical and policy challenge is recognizing that knowledge is generated not only by individuals and organizations but also through the complex interactions among them. Understanding how organizations develop new products, production techniques, and organizational forms is crucial. Equally important is grasping how organizations create new knowledge, particularly when this creation involves mobilizing and converting tacit knowledge. While much has been discussed regarding the significance of knowledge in management, there has been limited exploration of how knowledge is generated and how the knowledge creation process is effectively managed. The third element of this research triangle is complexity.

This book brings together a set of contributions that show the breadth and depth of the scientific work of Josef Fröhlich and his influence on Austrian research, technology and innovation (RTI) policy. It is edited in honour of the occasion of his retirement as Head of Innovation Systems Department at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. The contributors provide an overview of important issues of debate at the intersection of innovation studies and government policy, which have been pivotal for the modernisation and consolidation of the Austrian innovation system since the early 1990s.