Urban Innovation Networks

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction

   • Alexander Gutzmer

   Pages 1-6

3. Globalized Space Versus Refuge of Locality? Beyond the Global Cities Discourse

   • Alexander Gutzmer

   Pages 7-10

4. Rethinking the City: Actor-Network Theory and the Creation of Urban Connections

   • Alexander Gutzmer

   Pages 11-21

5. Urban Intensities: Architecture, Design, Affect

   • Alexander Gutzmer

   Pages 23-42

6. Rethinking Innovation: The Urban Perspective

   • Alexander Gutzmer

   Pages 43-59

7. Audi, Siemens, Ikea, Haus der Kunst, Igreja Universal: Five Urban Strategies

   • Alexander Gutzmer

   Pages 61-114

8. Conclusion

   • Alexander Gutzmer

   Pages 115-116

9. Back Matter

   Pages 117-123

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This book offers fresh insights into how companies can engage with, and make use of, the modern metropolis. Based on actor-network theory and the resource-based view of the firm, it demonstrates how the contemporary city can be seen – and used – as a resource for corporate innovation. The main argument is that companies have to build what the author calls “urban innovation networks.” After a theory-based outline of such networks, the author demonstrates the extent to which different institutional players – companies such as Audi, Ikea and Siemens, but also arts institutions like the Haus der Kunst in Munich – are already working to create them. The book combines management thinking with urban theory and the sociology of networks to create a unique blend of different views of capitalism and space, offering a new perspective on both the modern metropolis and globally operating companies active within our distinctly urban culture.

• Actor-network theory
• Corporate innovation
• Innovation management
• Innovation management
• Resource-based view of the firm
• Urban innovation networks
• Urban innovation networks
• Urbanism
• urban geography and urbanism

• Department of Corporate Communications, Quadriga University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany

  Alexander Gutzmer

Alexander Gutzmer is professor for media and communication at the Berlin-based Quadriga University and Editorial Director of the publishing house Callwey. He is also editor-in-chief of the architecture magazine “Baumeister”. Gutzmer worked as a business journalist for the German national weekly newspaper “Welt am Sonntag” and was editor-in-chief of the management magazine “think:act”, published by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. He got a PhD and an MA in Cultural Studies from Goldsmiths College, University of London, and a business degree from Free University Berlin.

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