In the past decade there has been growing recognition that economic development is not mainly exogenously determined but, to a large extent, is a transformation process induced and governed by economic actors who respond to competitive, institutional and political challenge. This 'challenge and response' model is increasingly accepted as a valid analytical framework in modem growth theory and also explains the popularity of endogenous growth approaches to technological innovation issues. However, a major and as yet largely under-researched topic is the question of the diffusion and adoption of new technological changes in the context of space-time dynamics. This diffusion and adoption pattern has obviously clear spatial and temporal variations connected with behavioural responses which may vary over time and different locations. This means that a closer analysis of spatio-temporal opportunities and impediments is necessary in order to fully map the complex interactions of technology and economy in space and time. This volume sets out to bring together a collection of original contributions commissioned by the editors to highlight the spatio-temporal patterns and backgrounds of the diffusion and adoption of new technologies. Some are in the nature of a survey, others.have a modelling background and again others are case studies. The contributions originate from different countries and different disciplines. This book is complementary to a previously published volume on technological innovation, Technological Change, Economic Development and Space, edited by C.S. Bertuglia, M.M. Fischer and G. Preto, and also published by Springer-Verlag (1995).

A Overviews.- 1 An Interpretative Survey of Innovative Behaviour
and Diffusion.- 2 Spatial Dispersion of Technological Innovation: A Review.- 3 Technological Innovation and Diffusion Models: A Review.- Modelling Innovation Diffusion.- B Theories and Models.- 5 Firms R&D Investments, Innovation and Market Shares.- 6 Innovative Behaviour and Complexity in Organized Systems.- 7 Technological Innovation, Transport and Location: A Comparative Examination of Four Analytical Models.- 8 Telematics, Location and Interaction Flows: The Telemaco Model.- 9 Innovation and Spatial Agglomeration.- 10 Structural Change in a Metropolitan Economy: The Chicago Region 1975-2011.- 11 Endogenous Technological Change, Long Run Growth and Spatial Interdependence: A Survey.- 12 Innovation and Strategy in Space: Towards a New Location Theory of the Firm.- C Empirical Studies and Policies.- 13 Investment Policy and Innovation Management: An Exploratory Analysis.- 14 Diffusion and Acceptance of New Products and Processes by Individual Firms.- 15 Innovative Capacity, Infrastructure and Regional Inversion: Is there a Long-Term Dynamic?.- 16 Telecommunications Network Externalities and Regional Development: Empirical Evidence.- 17 Strategic Adoption of Advanced Communication Systems: Some Empirical Evidence from the Finnish Metal Industry.- 18 Transport Behaviour and Diffusion of Telematics: A Conceptual Framework and Empirical Applications.- 19 Towards a New Theory on Technological Innovations and Network Management: The Introduction of Environmental Technology in the Transport Sector.- 20 Innovative Behaviour, R&D Development Activities and Technology Policies in Countries in Transition: The Case of Central Europe.- Contributors.