Business innovation measurement: history and evolution

Abstract

The evolution in the measurement of business innovation is a process started around two centuries ago and still on going. It has been following the development of the way innovation is conceptualise as well as the changing economic and social environment. On the other way, the increasing institutionalisation of innovation measurement has also played a key role in shaping the current understanding of Its relevance and of its role in the growth processes at both macro and micro level. Along this path, three experiences are highlighted. First, the emerging and the global diffusion of the OECD's Oslo Manual as the reference textbook for innovation measurement. Second, the process of development of the European Union's Community Innovation Survey: a successful, although perfectible, model of statistical surveying of firms' innovation activities. Third, the recent efforts to measure the innovation potential by considering the accumulation of knowledge by firms as intangible assets.