Macro-Innovation 2.0: Re-birth of Large-Scale Innovation

Examines ongoing evolution of large-scale technology undertakings, called macro-innovation, from World War II to the present. Identifies two types of such large-scale undertakings. Macro-innovation 1.0 refers to those efforts, common from World War II until the 1970s, which, although huge and complex, were generally finite in lifespan, bounded, and well-defined in terms of mission. Macro-innovation 1.0 was especially prevalent in defense, aerospace, and infrastructure, e.g. the Polaris, Apollo, and Interstate Highway programs. Macro-innovation 2.0 refers to more recent initiatives, which, although also huge and complex, are more open-ended, less specific in end objectives, more knowledge-intensive, and often have as overall purposes enhancing sustainability, national competitiveness, and other society-wide innovation capabilities. The evolution of industrial policy is discussed to provide a mirror for understanding how macro-innovation overall changed over the last 75 years and to show how macro-innovation regained prominence. Offered as illustrative examples of macro-innovation 2.0 are smart city, startup accelerator, and national artificial intelligence [AI} strategy initiatives. The advent of macro-innovation 2.0 signals a re-birth of macro-innovation after periods of disappointment and transition. This rise of macro-innovation 2.0 occurred before its starkest manifestation, programs to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for macro-innovation’s salience, implementation, and success are provided.