Books on innovation for 2022

The Oxford Handbook on Innovation in China

Title:“The Oxford Handbook of Chinese Innovations”
Authors: Xiaolan Fu, Bruce McKern and Jin Chen
Editor: Oxford University Press, Oxford
Language: English
Why should you read it: The latest inventory of China’s innovative ecosystem

This 800-page manual is meant to be the comprehensive guide to the microeconomics and business economics of the world’s largest and most feared country. Presenting the contributions of more than 60 authors, the collection covers almost all aspects of the Chinese economy, grouped around the theme of innovation. This might make one think that Chinese government officials contributed to the book as well. But the point is, China can only be properly understood in the context of government policies that underpin its economic development. Innovation is inseparable from the Chinese government’s long-term vision, as the three editors rightly write in their introduction.

The Law of Power: Venture Capital and the Construction of the New Future

Title: “The law of power: venture capital and the construction of the new future”
Author: Sebastien mallaby
Editor: Penguin Press, London
Language: English
Why should you read it: Stories about the relationship between start-ups and venture capitalists

Adam Neumann, the founder of WeWork, is known to once spray a foam extinguisher on an interested Chinese investor. Apparently, no foam landed on his lips, because the deal was still concluded with this company specializing in the supply of offices. These and other landmark stories about the difficult relationship between investors and the often-capricious CEO of a startup can be read in this fun book by Mallaby. This English author discusses the legendary deals made by venture capitalists who do not focus on safe investments, but rather want to fund venture companies. Most of them fail, but the goal is to achieve some success that brings in huge profits. Mallaby is not necessarily dismissive of this form of capitalism. Venture capitalists not only provide capital, but also good advice for start-ups.

Sustainable fashion. Consumption, design, responsible fabrics and materials

Title: “Sustainable fashion. Consumption, design, fabrics and responsible materials ”
Author: Wear fashion
Editor: Promopress, Barcelona
Language: English
Why should you read it: introduction to eco-fashion

This book is a mishmash of information on eco-friendly and recycled fabrics and materials. It also presents innovative entrepreneurs in the field of fashion. As such, it serves well as a first glimpse into “sustainable fashion”, also known as eco-fashion. For example, the Dutch entrepreneur Jeroen Muijsers de Flocus is in the spotlight. His company specializes in a new application of kapok. It is a type of cotton that is normally used in pillows, but is now supplied by Flocus to the clothing industry in the form of yarn. Behind the author named “Wearme Fashion” hides Vera Artemyeva, a Czech fashion activist.

The Year of Technology, 2022: The Insights You Need from the Harvard Business Review

Title: “The Year of Technology 2022: The Information You Need from the Harvard Business Review”
Authors: Larry Downes, Jeanne Meister, David Yoffie and Maelle Gavet
Editor: Harvard Business Review Press, Boston
Language: English
Why should you read it: Fascinating technological subjects of the near future

Eleven chapters highlight the challenges facing the tech world in 2022. We can read that unhackable encryption is on the horizon and the era of commercial aviation is upon us. Even more intriguing themes the book covers: The era of tech giants is coming to an end and digital technologies could exacerbate environmental problems. This collection of articles, previously published by the Harvard Business Review, offers concrete recommendations for implementing new innovations.

Mission Economics: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism

Title: “Mission Economics: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism”
Author: Mariana Mazzucato
Editor: Penguin (United Kingdom), Nieuw Amsterdam (NL), Campus (D)
Language: English, Dutch, German etc (translated from Italian)
Why should you read it: Advocacy for the role of government in promoting innovation

In ‘Mission Economy’, this Italian professor, attached to University College London, takes a radically new look at the major issues of the day. She believes that we need to rethink the capabilities and role of government in the economy and in society. The second part of the title refers to American efforts dating back to the early 1960s to combine public and private collaborations with the goal of going to the moon within 10 years. A decade of innovation like this will be possible again – if research institutes, businesses and governments start to work together in efficient and innovative ways.

Feel like envy? Order the books through your local (in this case Dutch) bookstore!