Introduction

The Introduction contextualises the book within the scientific debate on the socio-spatial conditions which are thought to be conducive to creativity and innovation. After briefly sketching the reasons behind the urge for continual innovation that characterises the contemporary market economy, the Introduction presents the twofold basic hypothesis of the anthology, according to which (a) an \u2018interpretative turn\u2019 concerning creativity and innovation is pragmatically taking place within enterprise and more generally industry, and (b) mainstream economics finds it hard to recognise that turn due to its firm adherence to the \u2018methodological individualism-behaviourism-cognitivism\u2019 triad. The book suggests that within the composite family of theoretical approaches which are part of the interpretative turn, a hermeneutic approach fits better on both analytical and normative levels because of its concern for socially- and spatially-situated processes and declared ethic stance. The Introduction therefore sketches the analytical, empirical and normative implications of a hermeneutic approach with regard to creativity and innovation. Not only do crucial familiar notions such as noise, ambiguity, learning and also \u2018the knowledge economy\u2019 change meaning, if not value, but the structural rather than functional, and the intangible rather than tangible features of places are seen to play an essential role in the collective shaping of creative attitudes and aptitudes. A critically updated version of the Durkheimian notion of generative milieu turns out to be central in this connection. Comments follow on how the various contributions to this anthology help to substantiate this interpretative framework and to generate suggestions for policies and further research work