Innovation in the Anthropological Perspective: Insights and Consequences for the Theory, Practice, and Design of Innovating

Innovation is a constant in human life and organization, arising from within a context-based culture of social structures and beliefs. This book re-examines the processes, practices, and mechanisms of innovation from an anthropological perspective, offering a theory of innovation as a dynamic multidimensional system. It uses methods and stories across a broad arc of time, place, social and cultural context, and subject matter. The chapters explore the intersection of virtual, local, and global dynamics and deepen our understanding of aspects and dimensions of innovation that challenge common perceptions, particularly in business and organizational environments. The approach aims to situate innovation in an integrated view of human and non-human ecologies, and to create common ground for a new form of research and practice.

Julia Gluesing is a business and organizational anthropologist and Research Professor in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Wayne State University. Christine Miller is an Adjunct Professor at Savannah College of Art and Design working at the intersection of the social sciences, design, and business. Helga Wild works in product development and research for Summery Inc. and runs a research consultancy.