Classifications of Innovations
Survey and
Future Directions
Mario Coccia
(Ceris-Cnr, Italia e Max-Planck Institute of Economics, Germania)
National Research Council of
Italy, Ceris-Cnr
Via Real Collegio, 30
10024 Moncalieri (Torino) – Italy
Tel.: +39.011.6824.925; Fax: +39.011.6824.966; email:
m.coccia@ceris.cnr.it
Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to focus on
similarity and/or heterogeneity of taxonomies of innovation present in the
economic fields to show as the economic literature uses different names to
indicate the same type of technical change and innovation, and the same name
for different types of innovation. This ambiguity of classification makes it
impossible to compare the various studies; moreover the numerous typologies
existing in the economics of innovation, technometrics, economics of
technical change, management of technology, etc., have hindered the
development of knowledge in these fields. The research presents also new
directions on the classification of innovation that try to overcome these
problems.
Keywords: Classifications,
Taxonomy, Technical change, Product, Innovation Patterns, Management of
Technology, Economics of innovation
JEL
Codes: B11,
B12, B20, B41, O30
