The Innovation SuperHighway

By Debra M. Amidon

Debra M. Amidon, a worldwide pioneer in knowledge strategy, once again leads you into the future by charting the intersection of knowledge management and innovation into a new frontier called 'Knowledge Innovation.' Groundbreaking and well researched, 'The Innovation SuperHighway' provides global insights into how you can use knowledge processes and tools to sustain high levels of innovation among all stakeholders to gain a competitive positioning. 'The Innovation SuperHighway' awakens the realization that information, economic infrastructures, computer and communications technology - and even knowledge management and ICT's, has been a journey toward profitable and prosperous innovation. Providing the sound rationale for knowledge strategy, Amidon defines the global vision on all levels of economy--the enterprise, the national economy and societal transformation. 'The Innovation SuperHighway' turns knowledge vision into innovation practice.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0750675926
• ISBN13: 9780750675925
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 412 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.9" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

The leading perspective on knowledge innovation

The Innovation SuperHighway is one of the fundamental pieces of work dealing with how to create sustainable collaborative advantage through the development AND implementation of knowledge strategies. The book defines the innovation frontier as our future assets and includes superb examples of innovation infrastructures being created in companies and countries - giving an understanding of how the attention should be on the people and not the technology per se. This since been documented in her subsequent research around knowledge innovation zones, the UNESCO reports and IBM CEO innovation surveys. In wise foresight there is also a chapter is dedicated to youth and how they are being mobilized with their vision. Finally, the vision in the concluding section documents the era of collaborative advantage - another evolving (and now accepted) principle of the Knowledge Economy. It is critical to note however that this book is NOT about knowledge management - it moves beyond these principles and provides a blueprint for discovering and leveraging intellectual capital, versus "managing" what is evident. In this manner the book enables the reader to sense not only why innovation is the utlimate manifestation of harnessing intangibles, but also how to create the dynamic conditions for profiting from an economy where sustainable succes is only possible if organizations and people innovate knowledge --existing and new-- more effectively to enhance economic growth and collaborative advantage. As we move from economic scarcity models based on land, labor, and capital to models of abundance based on an inexhaustible resource - knowledge, old rules do not apply; and the new rules are being innovated. This book provides the best starting point for executives and managers at all levels to begin this journey, and to set the stage for moving into a new innovation frontier - one based upon intangible value and intellectual wealth, for the success of their organizations, their enterprises and society.

This is not recreational read. It is a book to be studied. And the concepts put to use.

Anyone who has read CIO Insight http://www.cioinsight.com/article2/0,1397,1777087,00.asp And who wants to understand the how of living in a globalized economy: The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman and Oliver Wyman (available here too) , would want to read Amidon's's two books The Ken Awakening as well as this one, . The book, The Innovation Superhighway, is not about the how why of globalization as much as it is about the forces of globalization (ease of transferring and exchanging knowledge and how as Friedman says "What I am trying to do is say that something important really is happening. The value-creation model is moving away from a vertical silo model to an increasingly collaborative horizontal model, from command and control to collaborate and connect, and that's going to change everything." This is not recreational read. It is a book to be studied. And the concepts put to use.

Raymond Barry

This book wrestles with measuring the intangibles. The metrics of a knowledge driven economy. This book was first available in 2003. In the March 4th 2006 issue of The Economist there appeared an article: Getting a Grip on Prosperity - what if intangible investment is measured properly?. The concepts in this book are now entering the mainstream. For someone who wants to understand the forces that will drive our economies and most likely their careers for the next few decades...this book is a useful introduction...particularly chapter 11.2 and Part 5.

The art of Innovation

Over the past several years, I have been through numerous books on knowledge management and innovation management. Most have tried to provide "quick fixes" under the notion that if it worked for me, it will work for you. In reality, innovation is not a simple copy & paste from one organisation to the next.This book stands out from the rest in numerous ways. Instead of offerring "quick fixes", it provides the environment and sets the foundation for some creative thinking on the why, what and how of innovation. Metaphorically speaking:- It advises on where to find the seeds (ideas) of innovation- It helps you both identify and even create the fertile ground (innovation atmosphere) where to plant your seeds of innovation (it should not come as a surprise, that while some ideas may be born in one continent, they can only lead to innovations in another).- Most of all, the book provides you with the skills and mindset to be a passionate "innovation" gardener. The one who patiently nurtures the innovation seeds and sensures they blossom to flowers.What I liked most about this book was the simple fact that it encouraged me to think. To think and ponder beyond the balance sheet. To think and realise how each one of us can make a difference. Within every chapter and the numerous case studies in the book, key questions for reflection are provided. These are moments to pause, think, and reflect. One of the first steps in mastering the art of innovation.Amidon does not talk of innovation as a cash cow, or yet another management paradigm that comes and goes. Innovation is seen as the means through which we will transform the world into a truly sustainable knowledge/innovation society. A society that will be further nurtured and led by coming generations. Before reading another book on knowledge or innovation management, I would recommend reading this great classic by Amidon first. Once you have read another book, I would recommend following it up with a reading of this book. You will be surprised at its capacity to stimulate your "thinking-buds".

The Living Bible of Knowledge Management

I use this title because:-I would not trust a CEO, policy-maker or anyone with knowledge influence if he/she did not have this by her/his side, and make it live. In community, we need to know who we are being measured by these days, and how we measure them. This bible's identity can pass for that role.My reasoning for this rating is that the book is incredibly open linking you through 100 KM gurus that Ms Amidon networks with as well as mapping how her own views on the most valuable ways forward. Her views clearly echo the humanity of Drucker - the founder of the term knowledge worker - as well as overtaking the most optimistic views of a networked society known to me through my father's futurist network at The Economist (from his first 1984 celebratory network economy bye bye to Orwell on [website] )It is not that this delightful book replaces any other of my KM favourites including those that follow but it links them together as well as being the perfect introduction and inspiration to why knowledge age organisation will change your future so you might as well shape it too. Come join the biggest work-play of the century; dont be left out of the story.St Onge on CoPMcElroy on new KMSeely Brown on Social Life of InformationBaker on Achieving success through Social CapitalEdvinnson on Corporate LongitudeOlder but golden young: Sveiby on New Organisational WealthOlder but Eternal : Drucker LibraryChris Macrae, European Union sig editor for Knowledge Management & Emotional Intelligence at ...