 A Pragmatist Theory of InnovationChapter Chapter 2 in Practice-Based Innovation: Insights, Applications and Policy Implications, 2012, pp 17-27 from Springer Abstract: Abstract In this chapter, I develop theoretical foundations for practice-based innovation from the embodied cognition school of thought in cognitive science and from the pragmatist line of thought in philosophy. From it, I derive the notion of cognitive distance. I use the resulting insights to discuss the well-known notions of absorptive capacity and exploitation and exploration from the innovation literature, and the way in which exploitation and exploration are connected. In the analysis I model practice in terms of the notion of a script. Cognitive difference (‘distance’) complicates but also enriches collaboration, and this positive effect is related to the notion of bridging structural holes. Among other things, the analysis yields an underpinning of the idea that application is not just a result of research but also a basis for ideas for research, in two-way traffic between theory and practice, and between research and application. The analysis also has implications for innovation policy, in particular for the currently popular principle of focus and mass. Keywords: Absorptive Capacity; Innovation Policy; Structural Hole; User Script; Innovation Literature (search for similar items in EconPapers) There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it. Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-642-21723-4_2 Ordering information: This item can be ordered from DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-21723-4_2 Access Statistics for this chapter More chapters in Springer Books from Springer |
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