Innovation and Health: Theory, Methodology and Applications (Industrial Dynamics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Series)

'In this thought provoking and insightful book, Thomas Grebel provides the contours of a novel theoretical framework allowing us to cope with the complex nature of the creation, diffusion and normative direction of innovations in the health sector. Multi-disciplinary in scope and rigorous in technical and appreciative analysis, this book makes a major contribution to our understanding of the evolution of knowledge in general and the dynamic and complex nature of medical innovations in particular. Anyone seriously interested in theoretical and normative groundwork for an evolutionary knowledge-based approach to health economics will have to stop and listen.'
- Kurt Dopfer, University of St Gallen, Switzerland

Innovation and Health investigates both the origin and the diffusion of novelty in the field of health. It also provides a critical discussion of the methodology and theory of health economics.

Neoclassical and evolutionary elements are combined to produce a comprehensive view of the commodity of 'health' beyond a pure 'market' perspective. Thus, the intangible dimension of health is taken into account. The methodological framework developed serves as a basis for several theoretical and empirical applications such as the creation of medical knowledge, the evolution of networks and the process of invention, innovation and diffusion in the health care sector.

This timely resource will appeal to researchers and students working in health, innovation and evolutionary economics, as well as economic methodology. It will also appeal to health policy makers with an interest in market competition and social well-being.

Contents: Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Change in Economics; 3. Health Economics; 4. Towards a Theory of Innovation in Health Economics; 5. Knowledge Creation in Medicine; 6. Network Evolution in Medicine; 7. Technology Diffusion in Medicine; 8. Conclusion; Appendix; Bibliography; Index