The Innovation SuperHighway: Harnessing Intellectual Capital for Sustainable Collaborative Advantage (Paperback)

~ (Author) "In 1982, I had been working on the team assigned to bring the Microelectronics Computer and Technology Corporation (MCC) to Boston..." (more)
Key Phrases: innovation superhighway, knowledge value proposition, platform for world peace, New Zealand, European Union, Prime Minister (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a seminal work...synthesizing two principal drivers, for the 21st century economy: innovation and knowledge management." -- Michael Stankosky, Associate Professor and co-director, Institute for Knowledge Management, The George Washington University

"...the breakthrough innovation book of the decade. ...[what] we have been waiting for to guide us into the future." -- Lynne Schneider, CEO ESSI and co-author of 'Non-traditional Warfare: 21st Century Threats and Responses'

"Amidon inspires and weaves a worldwide conversation that embodies the message she brings to...so many people around the world." -- Hubert Saint-Onge, former VP Clarica, Advisor for Know Inc. and co-author of 'Leveraging Communities of Practice for Strategic Advantage'

"Debra makes innovation a central topic with decentralized (but) networked organizations. This paradigm is an important finding, since most big companies tend to re-centralize their innovation-processes to have better control!!!" – Joachim Doering, Sr. Vice President, Information Communications network, Siemens A.G.



"Debra Amidon - a globally leading knowledge pioneer for decades - leverages how past experience is the key to visualizing the emerging longitude patterns of the Future through knowledge innovation. This book is a milestone in the knowledge field. She has put the spotlight on the two major dimensions - enterprising as well as innovations. The methodologies and international network outlined in this book represent a true global entrepreneurial spirit for nourishing intellectual capital." - Leif Edvinsson, CEO of UNIC and author of 'Intellectual Capital and Corporate Longitude'


“If the 21st century is to be characterised by a profound shift towards a knowledge-based economic infrastructure then we cannot simply expect knowledge, innovation and learning to emerge serendipitously. Debra Amidon brings clarity of thought and a timely contribution to this important debate and demonstrates that we must develop strategies that connect hitherto compartmentalised components of our innovation pipelines.” - Dr. Michael Kelleher, Director, the European Union KALiF Project


"This is truly a landmark book and highly recommended as essential reading for those needed to lead innovation practices between functions of an organization, companies within industries, across sectors of the economy and among nations of the world. Debra suggests - and I concur - that innovating our future through human creativity - beyond technology and beyond content - is the key for wealth-generation in the 21st century. In this decisive book, Debra has been exceptionally skilled in building consensus and working complex issues that require collaboration - with sensitivity and resoluteness” - Dr. George Kozmetsky, Founder of Teledyne and winner of the National Medal of Technology


"In this book, Debra Amidon provides a summary of the new fundamentals of Knowledge and Innovation - plus the 'how to's' for Leadership/Leverage of these forces into the future. This is a must-read for Board members and executives charged with the responsibility of choosing future directions and ensuring the sustainability of their organizations." - Doug Macnamara, CEO, Banff Executive Leadership Inc.


"Debra provides a sustainable path forward in what is a defining moment in the history of our society as we determine the kind of world our children’s children will inherit. We should all take heed." – Dr. Thomas F. Malone, Distinguished Scholar Emeritus, North Carolina State University


"Debra’s compelling vision of The Innovation Superhighway – beyond KM and information management - connects all multidisciplinary, planetary talents and uses collective intelligence to build the future. As many other words in the global context, the definition has evolved beyond invention into multi-facetted innovation: comportmental (new attitudes), organizational (new structures), educational (new ways of learning), economic (new values), and motivations. No one can stop our collective imagination." – Dr. Eunika Mercier-Laurent, CEO of EML Conseil and Professor of IAE Lyon
University


"Debra Amidon combines vision and practice in this pioneering book. Her vision aims very high and her examples are very concrete. She herself has been practicing what she preaches and the book is full of live and powerful examples, many taken from her own experience. You will find out why we all need to move from knowledge management to innovation through collaboration and how it has already been done by an international network of experts led by the author." - Dr. Edna Pasher, author of ‘The Hidden Values of the Desert - the Intellectual Capital of Israel,’ and co-editor of ‘From Knowledge to Value - Unfolding the Innovation Cube’


“This book is a milestone in the global evolution of thinking on growth and innovation. Full of thought-provoking, visionary knowledge nuggets that cannot be missed by anyone trying to shape the future - of his company, society or nation. In times when future is not anymore like it used to be, we all need a crash-course in mastering volatility. Debra's vision of an Innovation Superhighway is so compelling, that it can change the way we think about strategy in the knowledge economy.” - Tomasz Rudolf, student at Warsaw Institute of Economics


"In this timely text, Amidon addresses the essence of the key challenge we face in the knowledge era: the constant need to innovate for individuals, organizations and societies. Its architect, Debra Amidon, inspires and weaves a worldwide conversation that embodies the message she brings to life for so many people around the world. It is a privilege to be part of her Network and share in its evolution." - Hubert Saint-Onge, former VP Clarica, Advisor for Know Inc. and co-author of 'Leveraging Communities of Practice for Strategic Advantage'


"Debra Amidon is our Sherpa guide who moves us beyond ‘knowledge as a thing to be slice and diced’ to ‘knowledge as a process of discovery in community.’ The Innovation SuperHighway is an invitation to us all to roll up our sleeves and co-build a new foundation for a world economy. Now, the twin towers of the World Trade Center may be replaced by a new foundation of understanding so that we can enhance the ‘world trade of ideas’ on a global scale. We have learned to value, appreciate, and be inspired by the uniqueness in one another and one another’s cultures." – Dr. Charles M. Savage, CEO of Knowledge Era Enterprises, Inc. and author of 'Fifth Generation Management'


"This is the breakthrough innovation book of the decade. Thoughtful, inspirational, visionaryÂ…the book we have all been waiting for to help guide us into the future. It is what you get when you combine a brilliant mind with a wonderful writer." - Lynne Schneider, CEO ESSI and co-author of 'Non-traditional Warfare: 21st Century Threats and Responses'


"A kaleidoscope of possibilities is revealed in this new masterpiece. Debra M. Amidon may be the next Peter Drucker with her own strategic blueprint for the knowledge tomorrow with global visibility, sustainability and collaborative advantage." - Xenia Stanford, CEO of Stanford Solutions, Inc. and Editor of KnowMap


"Clearly a seminal work, laying a blueprint, and synthesizing two principal drivers, for the 21st century economy: innovation and knowledge management." - Michael Stankosky, Associate Professor and co-director, Institute for Knowledge Management, The George Washington University -- Review

"Debra provides a sustainable path forward in...a defining moment in...our society... We should all take heed." -- Dr. Thomas F. Malone, Distinguished Scholar Emeritus, North Carolina State University

"This book is a milestone in the knowledge field." -- Leif Edvinsson, CEO of UNIC and author of 'Intellectual Capital and Corporate Longitude'

Review

"Debra makes innovation a central topic with decentralized (but) networked organizations. This paradigm is an important finding, since most big companies tend to re-centralize their innovation-processes to have better control!!!" - Joachim Doering, Sr. Vice President, Information Communications network, Siemens A.G.



"Debra Amidon - a globally leading knowledge pioneer for decades - leverages how past experience is the key to visualizing the emerging longitude patterns of the Future through knowledge innovation. This book is a milestone in the knowledge field. She has put the spotlight on the two major dimensions - enterprising as well as innovations. The methodologies and international network outlined in this book represent a true global entrepreneurial spirit for nourishing intellectual capital." - Leif Edvinsson, CEO of UNIC and author of 'Intellectual Capital and Corporate Longitude'


"If the 21st century is to be characterised by a profound shift towards a knowledge-based economic infrastructure then we cannot simply expect knowledge, innovation and learning to emerge serendipitously. Debra Amidon brings clarity of thought and a timely contribution to this important debate and demonstrates that we must develop strategies that connect hitherto compartmentalised components of our innovation pipelines." - Dr. Michael Kelleher, Director, the European Union KALiF Project


"This is truly a landmark book and highly recommended as essential reading for those needed to lead innovation practices between functions of an organization, companies within industries, across sectors of the economy and among nations of the world. Debra suggests - and I concur - that innovating our future through human creativity - beyond technology and beyond content - is the key for wealth-generation in the 21st century. In this decisive book, Debra has been exceptionally skilled in building consensus and working complex issues that require collaboration - with sensitivity and resoluteness" - Dr. George Kozmetsky, Founder of Teledyne and winner of the National Medal of Technology


"In this book, Debra Amidon provides a summary of the new fundamentals of Knowledge and Innovation - plus the 'how to's' for Leadership/Leverage of these forces into the future. This is a must-read for Board members and executives charged with the responsibility of choosing future directions and ensuring the sustainability of their organizations." - Doug Macnamara, CEO, Banff Executive Leadership Inc.


"Debra provides a sustainable path forward in what is a defining moment in the history of our society as we determine the kind of world our children"s children will inherit. We should all take heed." - Dr. Thomas F. Malone, Distinguished Scholar Emeritus, North Carolina State University


"Debra"s compelling vision of The Innovation Superhighway - beyond KM and information management - connects all multidisciplinary, planetary talents and uses collective intelligence to build the future. As many other words in the global context, the definition has evolved beyond invention into multi-facetted innovation: comportmental (new attitudes), organizational (new structures), educational (new ways of learning), economic (new values), and motivations. No one can stop our collective imagination." - Dr. Eunika Mercier-Laurent, CEO of EML Conseil and Professor of IAE Lyon
University


"Debra Amidon combines vision and practice in this pioneering book. Her vision aims very high and her examples are very concrete. She herself has been practicing what she preaches and the book is full of live and powerful examples, many taken from her own experience. You will find out why we all need to move from knowledge management to innovation through collaboration and how it has already been done by an international network of experts led by the author." - Dr. Edna Pasher, author of "The Hidden Values of the Desert - the Intellectual Capital of Israel," and co-editor of "From Knowledge to Value - Unfolding the Innovation Cube"


"This book is a milestone in the global evolution of thinking on growth and innovation. Full of thought-provoking, visionary knowledge nuggets that cannot be missed by anyone trying to shape the future - of his company, society or nation. In times when future is not anymore like it used to be, we all need a crash-course in mastering volatility. Debra's vision of an Innovation Superhighway is so compelling, that it can change the way we think about strategy in the knowledge economy." - Tomasz Rudolf, student at Warsaw Institute of Economics


"In this timely text, Amidon addresses the essence of the key challenge we face in the knowledge era: the constant need to innovate for individuals, organizations and societies. Its architect, Debra Amidon, inspires and weaves a worldwide conversation that embodies the message she brings to life for so many people around the world. It is a privilege to be part of her Network and share in its evolution." - Hubert Saint-Onge, former VP Clarica, Advisor for Know Inc. and co-author of 'Leveraging Communities of Practice for Strategic Advantage'


"Debra Amidon is our Sherpa guide who moves us beyond "knowledge as a thing to be slice and diced" to "knowledge as a process of discovery in community." The Innovation SuperHighway is an invitation to us all to roll up our sleeves and co-build a new foundation for a world economy. Now, the twin towers of the World Trade Center may be replaced by a new foundation of understanding so that we can enhance the "world trade of ideas" on a global scale. We have learned to value, appreciate, and be inspired by the uniqueness in one another and one another"s cultures." - Dr. Charles M. Savage, CEO of Knowledge Era Enterprises, Inc. and author of 'Fifth Generation Management'


"This is the breakthrough innovation book of the decade. Thoughtful, inspirational, visionary...the book we have all been waiting for to help guide us into the future. It is what you get when you combine a brilliant mind with a wonderful writer." - Lynne Schneider, CEO ESSI and co-author of 'Non-traditional Warfare: 21st Century Threats and Responses'


"A kaleidoscope of possibilities is revealed in this new masterpiece. Debra M. Amidon may be the next Peter Drucker with her own strategic blueprint for the knowledge tomorrow with global visibility, sustainability and collaborative advantage." - Xenia Stanford, CEO of Stanford Solutions, Inc. and Editor of KnowMap


"Clearly a seminal work, laying a blueprint, and synthesizing two principal drivers, for the 21st century economy: innovation and knowledge management." - Michael Stankosky, Associate Professor and co-director, Institute for Knowledge Management, The George Washington University

"Debra Amidon"s 'Innovation Superhighway'...looks like my living bible for the next decade. In other words, I would not trust a CEO, policy-maker or anyone with knowledge influence if he/she did not have this by her/his side, and make it live. We need to know who we are being measured by these days, and how we measure them. The bible"s identity can pass for that role." Chris Macrae posting on Knowledge Board

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann; 1 edition (November 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750675926
• ISBN-13: 978-0750675925
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #864,278 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raymond Barry, March 13, 2006

By	Raymond Barry (Tewksbury, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book wrestles with measuring the intangibles. The metrics of a knowledge driven economy.
This book was first available in 2003. In the March 4th 2006 issue of The Economist there appeared an article: Getting a Grip on Prosperity - what if intangible investment is measured properly?. The concepts in this book are now entering the mainstream.

For someone who wants to understand the forces that will drive our economies and most likely their careers for the next few decades...this book is a useful introduction...particularly chapter 11.2 and Part 5.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The art of Innovation, June 30, 2004

By	Abdul Samad Kazi (Espoo, Finland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Over the past several years, I have been through numerous books on knowledge management and innovation management. Most have tried to provide "quick fixes" under the notion that if it worked for me, it will work for you. In reality, innovation is not a simple copy & paste from one organisation to the next.

This book stands out from the rest in numerous ways. Instead of offerring "quick fixes", it provides the environment and sets the foundation for some creative thinking on the why, what and how of innovation. Metaphorically speaking:
- It advises on where to find the seeds (ideas) of innovation
- It helps you both identify and even create the fertile ground (innovation atmosphere) where to plant your seeds of innovation (it should not come as a surprise, that while some ideas may be born in one continent, they can only lead to innovations in another).
- Most of all, the book provides you with the skills and mindset to be a passionate "innovation" gardener. The one who patiently nurtures the innovation seeds and sensures they blossom to flowers.

What I liked most about this book was the simple fact that it encouraged me to think. To think and ponder beyond the balance sheet. To think and realise how each one of us can make a difference. Within every chapter and the numerous case studies in the book, key questions for reflection are provided. These are moments to pause, think, and reflect. One of the first steps in mastering the art of innovation.

Amidon does not talk of innovation as a cash cow, or yet another management paradigm that comes and goes. Innovation is seen as the means through which we will transform the world into a truly sustainable knowledge/innovation society. A society that will be further nurtured and led by coming generations.

Before reading another book on knowledge or innovation management, I would recommend reading this great classic by Amidon first. Once you have read another book, I would recommend following it up with a reading of this book. You will be surprised at its capacity to stimulate your "thinking-buds".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The leading perspective on knowledge innovation, December 10, 2006

By	Oliver Schwabe - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Innovation SuperHighway is one of the fundamental pieces of work dealing with how to create sustainable collaborative advantage through the development AND implementation of knowledge strategies. The book defines the innovation frontier as our future assets and includes superb examples of innovation infrastructures being created in companies and countries - giving an understanding of how the attention should be on the people and not the technology per se. This since been documented in her subsequent research around knowledge innovation zones, the UNESCO reports and IBM CEO innovation surveys. In wise foresight there is also a chapter is dedicated to youth and how they are being mobilized with their vision. Finally, the vision in the concluding section documents the era of collaborative advantage - another evolving (and now accepted) principle of the Knowledge Economy. It is critical to note however that this book is NOT about knowledge management - it moves beyond these principles and provides a blueprint for discovering and leveraging intellectual capital, versus "managing" what is evident. In this manner the book enables the reader to sense not only why innovation is the utlimate manifestation of harnessing intangibles, but also how to create the dynamic conditions for profiting from an economy where sustainable succes is only possible if organizations and people innovate knowledge --existing and new-- more effectively to enhance economic growth and collaborative advantage. As we move from economic scarcity models based on land, labor, and capital to models of abundance based on an inexhaustible resource - knowledge, old rules do not apply; and the new rules are being innovated. This book provides the best starting point for executives and managers at all levels to begin this journey, and to set the stage for moving into a new innovation frontier - one based upon intangible value and intellectual wealth, for the success of their organizations, their enterprises and society.