Low-tech Innovation

The book "Low-tech Innovation" highlights the economic relevance of so-called low-tech industries and companies. These firms, which are not research and development-intensive, form the economic backbone of several developed industrial countries and are central to national innovation systems. Despite their significant role in terms of growth and employment, they are often overlooked in the general innovation debate because they do not invest in research and development. The book provides current empirical insights into the economic relevance and specific innovation strategies, as well as the management of non R&D-intensive companies in Germany. It discusses the future role of these companies in a knowledge-based economy and the potential impacts on innovation and technology policy. This work is the result of several years of intensive research at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) and is aimed at researchers and decision-makers in the field of innovation and knowledge strategies.