ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 identified several factors bringing creativity and innovation closer conceptually and in practice. The factors include the quest by governments, regions, cities and industries to develop their innovation systems to enhance productivity and performance; the emergence of the knowledge economy and of new creative industries (such as design and media); the strategic direction of many leading companies toward high-tech innovation to fuel the industrial “engines of tomorrow” while recognising that low-tech industries can also be highly creative and innovative; and, finally, a growing recognition that the most creative minds are needed to suggest solutions for the major problems of environmental degradation, climate change, energy depletion, food shortage, poverty, disease and population explosion.
