Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents a framework for understanding the interactions between innovation and automation. It considers each as distinct entities. Innovation is considered, its importance, and its new place in organisations and addresses new approaches to the process of automation. Innovation is an important factor in organisational competitiveness. Competitiveness also depends upon automation. Innovation and automation have been pursued simultaneously but often independently, the assumption being that their differences exclude them from affecting one another. Innovation and automation are interlinked in ways, assumed to be beneficial. In addition to reviewing the schemes, the process underlying innovation is considered at the level of human creativity, as this is the key element. A number come from the aviation industry because of automation's seminal role in this work environment.