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Innovation Theory, Aesthetics, and Science of the Artificial After Herbert Simon

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  • Helge Godoe

Abstract

In innovation, the role of aesthetics is important, possibly paramount, but this factor is not reflected in mainstream innovation theory and research. The paper suggests that aesthetics, supported by serendipity, imagination, and creativity constitute the core, i.e., the “soul” of innovation, and that these factors fuel the dynamics of innovation. These factors are set within a framework, a type of conceptual “iron triangle” or trinity of innovation consisting of: diffusion, entrepreneurship, and novelty. Within this, the novelty, this “something” new becomes an innovation because of diffusion, but the diffusion of the innovation is critically dependent on actors with an agency of promoting innovation, i.e., diffusion is pushed by entrepreneurship. Aesthetics fuels this dynamic together with factors related to serendipity, imagination, and creativity. The challenge of incorporating aesthetics and its associates in innovation theory may become feasible by adoption and further development of Herbert Simon's theory of the science of the artificial. The article suggests how this could be done; basically by redefining Simon's notion of the role of the “utility function” in optimization as one that is ruled by aesthetics. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

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  • Helge Godoe, 2012. "Innovation Theory, Aesthetics, and Science of the Artificial After Herbert Simon," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 3(4), pages 372-388, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:3:y:2012:i:4:p:372-388
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-011-0055-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Freeman, Chris, 1995. "The 'National System of Innovation' in Historical Perspective," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 19(1), pages 5-24, February.
    2. Godoe, Helge, 2000. "Innovation regimes, R&D and radical innovations in telecommunications," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(9), pages 1033-1046, December.
    3. Giovanni Dosi, 2000. "Sources, Procedures, and Microeconomic Effects of Innovation," Chapters, in: Innovation, Organization and Economic Dynamics, chapter 2, pages 63-114, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Baggio, Rodolfo & Moretti, Vincenzo, 2015. "Beauty as a factor of economic and social development," MPRA Paper 66194, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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