Revolutionising EU Innovation Policy

The purpose of this ground-breaking book is to inspire the principle of innovation as a permeating program for Europe’s societies. After demonstrating early success from the realization of a single market and single currency, the European cooperation process is falling short of delivering much needed results in policy areas which are key for sustainable economic growth and employment, notably innovation policy. Written by authors involved in an independent tripartite High Level Group on EU innovation policy management, Revolutionising EU Innovation Policy analyses the principle causes and offers solutions in order to increase both efficacy and democratic accountability. Presenting the benefits of an overarching innovation policy, the authors draw attention to issues that have been overlooked by research and technology based approaches to innovation, for example culture and education. Importantly, the book examines the interplay between EU innovation policies and the demands of businesses, enterprises, and social and political organizations to fully deploy their innovation potential. 

“Innovation, the creation of added value, will be a decisive factor for Europe's future prosperity. Therefore we need to think outside the box, to develop new approaches and to make original contributions to the European innovation thinking. This makes this book worth reading.” (Herman Van Rompuy, former Prime Minister of Belgium, President Emeritus of the European Council of the European Union)

“The book convincingly advocates that Europe needs to upgrade its innovation policy and to make it an overarching target, as the Single Market once was, for the benefit of its citizens’ welfare.” (Mario Monti, former Member of the Commission of the European Union, former Prime Minister of Italy)

Klaus Gretschmann is Chairman of the High Level Group on Innovation Policy Management and the President of CATE (Competence and Advisory Team Europe). Formerly the Director-General of the Council of the European Union responsible for competitiveness, research, innovation, the single market and industrial policy, Klaus has also been the personal representative of Germany’s Chancellor for G8 summit preparation. A member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, he is the author of numerous publications.

Stefan Schepers is Secretary General of the High Level Group on Innovation Policy Management and Visiting Professor at Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK. Stefan is also the First Director General of the European Institute of Public Administration in Maastricht, The Netherlands and a Partner in EPPA, a Belgian management consultancy specialising in business-government-society interaction. A Member of the Senate of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and Director of the Academy of Business in Society, he has published on management and EU affairs and recently co-edited Rethinking the future of Europe (2014).