<em> The strategies of innovation. Survey on European patents of Italian firms</em> - In international rankings on innovation Italy’s position is particularly weak. Is this image realistic? A recent survey on Italian firms that applied for European patents (EPO) between 1995 and 2004 casts some doubts...

1. Innovation and social change -- 2. Inventors and creativity -- 3. The sociology of economic inventions -- 4. The small worlds of creativity and innovation -- 5. Innovation systems -- 6. The geography of innovation -- 7. Innovation and local development.