Introduction

Globalisation is not a single phenomenon, but a catch-all concept to describe a wide range of forces. The importance of globalisation is currently the focus of a vivid controversy. On the one hand, there are those who maintain that globalisation has effectively contaminated the greater part of economic life (Ohmae, 1990; Chesnais, 1994; Barnet and Cavanagh, 1994; Brecher and Costello, 1994; Perraton et al., 1997); on the other, there are those who take a more sceptical view (Ruigrok and van Tulder, 1995; Michie and Grieve Smith, 1995; Hirst and Thompson, 1996). However, the terms of the debate are often unclear as three issues, which although related should be kept separate, are not well clarified.

The first is to establish the importance of global forces in social life (does globalisation exist or not?). This requires the identification of the different types of globalisation and an estimate of their weight according to geographical location, industrial sectors and social groupings. The second refers to the value judgement attributable to globalisation (is a global society a good or a bad thing?). Answers to this type of question can only be given by clarifying the actors of reference. Finally, the third issue refers to the viability of national policies enabling the modification of the inertial tendencies produced by globalisation (are there any policies which can regulate globalisation?). As these policies are mainly implemented at a national level, the debate on globalisation must necessarily be judged with reference to the effectiveness of the policies implemented by national governments.

In this chapter,we attempt to critically assess the concept of globalisation as applied to innovation. Our intention is to define its implications for national policies.