Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the capacity of the Danish innovation system to respond to key societal challenges, including those linked to processes of globalisation and increasing competition from lower-cost emerging market economies, the impact of emerging and possibly disruptive technologies on productivity, skills and employment, and pressures for environmental sustainability and the transition to green energy systems. It provides an overview of the history of innovation systems thinking and of the emergence of innovation policy in Denmark. The book focuses on the performance of the Danish research and innovation system and on the emerging challenges it faces. It describes several broader societal challenges that the Danish system currently faces, and on how policies play an important role in tackling these challenges.