This important new book presents the theoretical, econometric and applied foundations of the economics of innovation as well as offering a new approach to the measurement of technical change. The author, a leading expert in innovation economics and management, critically reviews current schools of thought and presents his own contribution to measurement techniques.

Measurements of technical change have focused on the characteristics of price and quantity whilst useful theories and reliable indicators of the quality of innovation in new products have been sorely lacking. The author examines the theoretical foundations of the measurement of technical change and extends the analysis to consider the econometric and empirical perspective in the process of innovation. He outlines the key contributions to innovation research by reviewing the English-language literature and providing a very useful guide to the most important contributions in other languages. In the measurement of the quality of innovation, the techniques used in the author's contribution to new 'technometrics' are presented and explained in detail and are applied to the most important topical problems in innovation and management.

This significant addition to the literature will be invaluable to graduates, scholars and managers working in the area of technical change, technology and innovation management.


Managing New Product Development and Innovation provides a new approach to the microeconomics of innovation by measuring the technical quality of new products and guiding the managers of innovation and technology in the central considerations of today's knowledge-based companies.

The volume features a selection of practical microeconomic tools for managing new product development and innovation. By quantifying product features and evaluating the costs and market value of improvements, a simple yet powerful conceptual framework is created. Using this framework, creative business models can be built, along with innovative products, services and processes that achieve marketplace success.

The authors address five key questions facing managers of knowledge-based companies:

  • Which new features should be added to existing products?
  • Which radically new features should be innovated?
  • How can marketing and R&D be integrated?
  • How can the value of brand names be estimated and optimized?
  • How can the sophistication of product technology be measured - both at a given point in time and between two points in time?

This path-breaking volume will be essential reading for managers of innovation, and will be warmly welcomed by teachers and advanced students with an interest in innovation and industrial economics.