ABSTRACT
This chapter intends to shed some light on the influence of culture in shaping and framing the innovation canvas and agenda. The emergence of innovative nations may be viewed as a path-dependent trajectory. It attempts to address the conditions for renewal of a civilization since the sustainability-innovation nexus is underpinned by natural, social and intellectual capitals. The chapter discusses the ability to revive a nation is a rational and social choice that is framed, informed and reformed by culture. It includes a shared consciousness for progress, multi-culturalism as a pre-condition for innovation, champions for change as catalysts for innovation and cross-fertilization on ideas as key enablers for innovation. It argues that values and culture influence technology selection and innovation culture. An innovative reconstruction of an Islamic civilization implies a deep understanding and realization that is likely to entail new modalities and models of governance and business models that respond to real-world challenges and constraints.
