Observing Dark Innovation: After Neoliberal Tools and Techniques

Scholarship on innovation tends to focus on certain classes of technology, potentially hiding neoliberal market biases. Ryan T. MacNeil calls for critical examination of observation and understanding of innovation to deconstruct and reform disciplinary conventions. This book contributes to critical management and science and technology studies, shedding light on the 'dark matter' of innovation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2024
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Scholarship on innovation often tends to focus on specific classes of technology, raising questions about whether our research tools and techniques may be hiding as much as they reveal. In his book, Ryan T. MacNeil explores how the common instrumentalities of innovation research carry neoliberal market biases. He calls upon critical scholars to examine how we observe and understand innovation, proposing ways forward to deconstruct and reform disciplinary conventions.

This book makes a significant contribution to critical management and science and technology studies by shedding light on the 'dark matter of innovation.' It will be an invaluable resource for scholars and practitioners interested in disruptive ideas about innovation.

MacNeil argues that the dominant frameworks used in innovation research, such as the linear model of innovation and the technology-push paradigm, are influenced by neoliberal market ideologies. These frameworks prioritize technological advancements and market competition as the drivers of innovation, while often neglecting social and environmental factors that play a crucial role in shaping innovation outcomes.

To address these biases, MacNeil suggests that critical scholars should examine the ways in which we observe and understand innovation. He proposes a range of approaches, including ethnographic research, participatory design, and critical discourse analysis, that can help us to unpack the assumptions and biases embedded in our research practices.

One of the key insights of the book is that the observation and understanding of innovation are deeply intertwined with power relations and social structures. MacNeil argues that the dominant narratives and frameworks used in innovation research often perpetuate existing power imbalances and reinforce the status quo. By challenging these narratives and frameworks, critical scholars can help to promote more equitable and sustainable innovation practices.

Another important aspect of the book is its call for a more reflexive and interdisciplinary approach to innovation research. MacNeil argues that the study of innovation should draw on a range of disciplines, including sociology, economics, politics, and design, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex processes and dynamics that shape innovation.

In conclusion, Scholarship on innovation often fixates on certain classes of technology, raising questions about whether our research tools and techniques may be hiding as much as they reveal. Ryan T. MacNeil's book explores how the common instrumentalities of innovation research carry neoliberal market biases and calls upon critical scholars to examine how we observe and understand innovation. By proposing a range of approaches and promoting a more reflexive and interdisciplinary approach to innovation research, MacNeil helps to shed light on the 'dark matter of innovation' and promote more equitable and sustainable innovation practices.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529231199