Innovation Nation: How America Is Losing Its Innovation Edge, Why It Matters, and What We Can Do to Get It Back

by John J. Kao

Not long ago, Americans could rightfully feel confident in our preeminence in the world economy. The United States set the pace as the world's leading innovator: from the personal computer to the internet, from Wall Street to Hollywood, from the decoding of the genome to the emergence of Web 2.0, we led the way and the future was ours. So how is it, bestselling author and leading expert on innovation John Kao asks, that today Finland is the world's...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416532684
• ISBN13: 9781416532682
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Innovating a New Future

Acknowledging the same reality, but offering a glimmer of National hope to Thomas Friedman's "The World is Flat" thesis, John Kao lays the framework for an "Innovation Solution" toward the vision of America becoming: "...accelerant for global innovation by steering the world toward addressing the formidable range of wicked problems we face..." It is a brilliantly written, comprehensive analysis; filled with possibility and promise, even as it accepts the reality of our shortcomings and the enormity of these "Wicked Problems". Defining innovation as, "the ability of individuals, companies, and entire nations to continuously create their desired future", Kao takes the reader on a quick trip around the globe to demonstrate how the key success factors for innovation are no longer domiciled within the U.S.A. He demonstrates how Talent, Capital, Government Investment, and the Silicon Valley concept are now everywhere - Bangalore to Singapore and Finland to Ireland. It is a shocking view of reality that will be shared by most readers who are regular travelers to countries abroad. The author then offers his proposal: "...the United States specialize in a more comprehensive, transformational style of innovation, one that allows for placing big bets on the future, deploying its enormous resources, carrying out ambitious and mold-breaking experiments, reinventing the way we educate our young, aligning our federal, state, and local agendas, and recharging the magnetism of openness and opportunity that has historically attracted the world's talent to our shores." And, chapter by chapter he demonstrates how the components of innovation work, and how the U.S. might re-create these components as the foundation for addressing what he has called the wicked problems we face. His chapter on "Making Talent" - it is leaving us and our educational system is broken - challenges not only the current educational system, but also the marketing of innovation and innovative educating of and to our young people. He argues that we must also continue to "Seduce Talent" from abroad thru offers of opportunities to specialize and the building of a reputation for diversity and tolerance. He shows how openness and trust are part, but only part of the environment for innovation that must be developed, and he suggests a "National Innovation Agenda" that includes the appointment of a National Innovation Advisor to the President. In all, it is a bold, but realistic approach to earn anew, America's, "...status of "indispensable nation" by using our mastery of innovation as a force for good in the world." The book's offering is far too comprehensive to be reduced to a single review and it will be well worth your time to read the ~ 270 pages. The stories are interesting and informative, and the logic is such that you can do a bit of skimming if you are short on time. I highly recommend this book. Dennis DeWilde, author of "The Performance Connection"

a call for science, creativity, and growth

John's first-hand experience meeting business, science, and political leaders around the world shows how widespread and intense the drive for innovation has become. Americans should read this book not in fear of emerging nations' ascendancy, but in eager anticipation of the prosperity that these new collaborators will bring. If fear is warranted, it's that our own leaders will not share the foresight and commitment to innovation that is becoming the global norm.

Kao's prescription

Kao's prescription is exactly right--creating innovation hubs around the country. His estimated cost, $20 billion for 20 innovation hubs, is cheap compared to the cost of continuing to lose ground in innovation to emerging regions like Asia and Eastern Europe. Witness successful U.S. examples, such as Silicon Valley and San Diego, which Kao writes about at length. Kao points out that achieving this audacious goal will require setting a national innovation agenda and appointing a national leader to champion the cause (á la Jim Webb with NASA and Apollo). Challenging? Yes, particularly given the current political environment. But, as Kao states, "We have no alternative but to try...We must the face the future." Agreed.

Restoring a Culture of Innovation

John Kao has sounded the alarm over America's atrophying ability to innovate. Through apt historical references and a no-nonsense critique of fundamentals (e.g., school curriculum, institutional cultures, etc.) he shows where America has strayed from the "engine of invention" following Sputnik and through the Apollo missions to the moon -- and how today's innovation hotbeds in Singapore, Denmark and Finland are eroding America's long-term economic viability. He also offers practical solutions (from the micro to the macro) in this provocative "long view" of a culture that was built on innovation.

Must Read!

This book is a must read for anyone who cares about America's economic leadership and cultural health. Kao's perspective is fascinating and his insights hit the nail on the head. As a nation, we need to reinvent innovation and get back to a world where our youth admires and aspires to serious innovators, technological leaders, business gurus and Nobel scientists, as opposed to reality TV stars.