Innovation for Value and Mission: An Introduction to Innovation Management and Policy

Innovation. No other concept is so widely celebrated, yet so secretly dreaded. The reason: innovation requires managing through uncertainty. This is hard for any organization whether private or public, small or large. This book provides a roadmap for those who want to understand and manage innovation in all its aspects. It explains both the "how" and the "why" of innovation – its economic and policy context as well as the techniques by which it can be orchestrated, along with the management systems needed to govern it. Innovation is uniquely presented through both a private-sector (value-creating) and public-sector (mission-fulfilling) lens.

Topics covered in context include modern innovation and creativity techniques such as design thinking and the Lean Startup, the organizational challenges of innovation, as well as innovation project- and portfolio management techniques. Business-model innovation and open innovation complete the picture from the manager’s perspective. The private and public financing of R&D, startups, and corporate innovation are presented – contrasting the private and public worlds while explaining how they complement each other. Government innovation policy is discussed in its historical and contemporary context, and the innovation policy toolset is introduced.

Continual innovation is vital for companies and countries to prosper. Readers will learn why innovation must follow technological breakthroughs to raise productivity and economic growth, and how innovation – when done right – can benefit larger society. An explanation for unequal growth – that some companies, regions, and countries are not seeing the full productivity gains promised by modern technology – is explored in the context of technology diffusion.

No previous experience in innovation management, economics or public policy is assumed, and the book moves fast to equip the reader with practical tools and techniques. Innovation for Value and Mission is suitable for an introductory graduate level course, or as a desk reference for experienced practitioners and policymakers. Because it connects multiple topic areas and contains ample additional references, the book is also a great resource for those with expertise in one particular area of innovation who desire to branch out into other areas.

Peet van Biljon advises private- and public-sector clients on innovation management, technology strategy, organizational transformation, and Technology and Innovation Policy. He was formerly a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he also managed the firm's global innovation practice. He serves clients in all sectors, but has particular expertise in the high-tech, electronics, software, and advanced manufacturing industries. His current research interests include improving the effectiveness of public spending on innovation; and employing innovation to achieve system-wide sustainability transitions.

Mr. Van Biljon is the founder and CEO of BMNP Strategies LLC, an advisory company. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, where he has been teaching a graduate course, "Innovation and Public Policy," since 2017.

Articles on innovation and R&D management that he coauthored have been published in MIT Sloan Management Review, Research-Technology Management, and on mckinsey.com. He frequently writes blogs and articles on innovation for magazines. His previous book, Making Money: The History and Future of Society's Most Important Technology, coauthored with Alexandra R. Lajoux, was released in 2020. Earlier, he published a book on business ethics, Profit with a Higher Purpose.

Mr. Van Biljon earned a B.Eng. (Electronic Engineering) degree from the University of Stellenbosch, and B.Com. (Accounting and Economics) and M.Com. (Economics) degrees from the University of South Africa. He is licensed as a professional engineer (P.Eng.) in Ontario, Canada; and is a long-standing member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).