Non-technological and non-economic innovations

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Innovation research exhibits a notable dissonance: while the term "innovation" encompasses a broad range of new products, processes, services, and methods, the primary focus remains on technology commercialization. This disparity led to key discussions at the 2nd International Conference on Indicators and Concepts of Innovation (ICICI 2008), which explored non-technological and non-economic innovations and their economic impacts. Central questions included the identification of non-technological and non-economic innovations both theoretically and empirically, their effects on the economy, and whether purely technological or economic innovations exist without these dimensions. This volume compiles selected scholarly responses that challenge the mainstream focus on technology-driven economic markets. It presents a theoretical framework for analyzing socially robust innovations—those that thrive in multiple markets, leading to greater sustainability and profitability. The conference was supported by the SCOPES programme of the Swiss National Science Foundation, emphasizing the importance of broadening the scope of innovation research to include diverse dimensions beyond traditional technology-centric views.