Managing Sustainable Innovation

Ian Maxwell applies decades of research and application to present a novel approach to innovation, with an emphasis on sustainable and renewable practices that benefit many, and not just a handful of executives and shareholders. Featuring examples from a wide range of innovators around the world, from Google to Genentech to the Masdar “clean” city initiative in Abu Dhabi, Maxwell argues that organizations that embrace structured innovation management systems and drive a “top down” innovation culture will achieve sustainable high growth and strong shareholder returns. Countries that provide the right physical, financial and human resource infrastructure to support a highly innovative macro-economic environment will experience both strong GPD growth and high living standards.  Those companies and countries that fail to support innovation will struggle to compete and raise living standards, respectively. Maxwell considers the cases of China and India, whose low-cost innovation strategies are posing a serious competitive threat to established multinationals in the developed world, and considers the impact of innovation on such timely issues as climate change, environmental pollution, fossil fuel shortages, third world poverty, rising healthcare costs and ageing populations.

"Overall, Ian Maxwell has taken a multi-national up-to-date perspective on innovation, which makes the book a useful resource in many contexts. The early chapters set the principles for thinking about innovation and its role in regional and global economic growth, in an accessible and practical way, while later chapters describe many cases of innovative technology. For example, the chapter dealing with renewable energy innovation has an immediacy which relates to the current volatility of global energy economics. Managing Sustainable Innovation is a valuable commentary on the essence of innovation, emerging technologies and innovative companies."
Ralph Cooney
Pro-Vice Chancellor Tamaki
The University of Auckland

"In the 21^st century world, increasingly driven by innovation, Ian’s work is insightful, thoughtful, and timely. Complex issues are distilled into simple understandable concepts that are universal with broad applicability across industries, businesses, and countries. Work should be invaluable in managing research portfolios and resources, and developing an innovative culture for long-term sustainable growth and competitive advantage. A must read book for executives, leaders, educators, and professionals irrespective of the industry they are working in!"
Baljit Gambhir
Managing Consultant
Shell Global Solutions (US) Incorporated

"This book provides insight into the most up-to-date ideas and approaches to innovation that are very valuable to any organisation, commercial or governmental."
Thomas Maschmeyer
ARC Federation Fellow
University of Sydney

"Ian Maxwell offers a practical approach to innovation management and highlights the importance of environmentally sustainable innovation and policy in developing countries. Applying years of research, application and enthusiasm, Dr. Maxwell includes numerous examples from high-tech, telecommunications and energy, among others."
Dr.Jan van der Eijk
Chief Technology Officer
Royal Dutch Shell
The Netherlands

Aus den Rezensionen: “In der Buchhandlung hätte ich den dünnen Band ... aufgrund des Titels wohl angesehen ... Aber nachdem ich das Buch dann eben ... gelesen habe, muss ich sagen, dass mir deutlich etwas entgangen wäre. ... Und ... in einer anderen Richtung erweitert das Lesen des Buches den Gesichtskreis. ... Letztlich machte mir das Buch beim Lesen noch etwas klar. Nachhaltigkeitsinnovationen, das ist ja gut und schön. ... Dies ist ein Buch für Leute, die einen aktuellen Überblick über eine ... zufällige Auswahl von Entwicklungen zu Nachhaltigkeitsinnovationen gebrauchen können ...“ (Jens Clausen, in: Ökologisches Wirtschaften, 2010, Issue 1, S. 53 f.)

Dr Ian Maxwell founded and served as CEO/CTO of two high-tech European start-up companies. He has more than 25 years of experience in technology and new business development, with Shell International in both Europe and the US among other companies.

Currently Dr. Maxwell serves as CEO of a newly formed company, Maxco Consulting Group, which focuses on providing innovation consulting services in the Asia Pacific region. He holds a PhD in Chemistry, and is the co-author of 80+ scientific, technology review articles and book chapters.