How much can innovation contribute to the quality of life? How can innovation be used to develop and market commercial products? These are two major questions considered by an international symposium of active researchers from the USA and Europe in the fields of industrial innovation which was held at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. The scope of the papers is extensive and embraces the whole process of innovation, from invention through development to commercialisation and diffusion. Some papers cover broad general issues such as the social and economic consequences of innovation and government policies towards innovation and research and development. Others provide highly specific and pragmatic