Synopses & Reviews
The enormous and sustained success of Silicon Valley has excited interest around the globe. Startup companies the world over are attempting to emulate its high tech businesses, and many governments are changing their institutions in order to foster Silicon Valleys of their own. What accounts for the Valleys leading edge in innovation and entrepreneurship?
This book gives an answer by insiders, by prominent business leaders and academics from the heart of the Valley. They argue that what distinguishes the Valley is not its scientific advances or technological breakthroughs. Instead, its edge derives from a “habitat” or environment that is tuned to turn ideas into products and take them rapidly to market by creating new firms.
This habitat includes supportive government regulations for new firm formation, leading research universities that interact with industry, an exceptionally talented and highly mobile work force, and experienced support services in such areas as finance, law, accounting, headhunting, and marketing, all specializing in helping new companies form and grow. Not least is a spirit of adventure and a willingness to take risks.
The elements of this habitat are packed into a small geographic area. In it, networks of specialists form communities of practice within which ideas develop and circulate and from which new products and new firms emerge. Feedback processes are strongly at work: the successes of Valley firms strengthen the habitat, and the stronger it becomes, the more new, successful firms are created.
Among industries, electronics came into the Valley first, followed by semiconductors, computers, software, and, in the 1990s, biotechnology, networking, and the Internet. This extraordinary ability to keep adding new industrial sectors itself affects the prospect for the Silicon Valley's future. What lies ahead? From within, the Valley faces serious challenges in defining a new generation of entrepreneurs, addressing a growing digital divide, and maintaining quality of life. At the same time, the Valley must redefine its global role with respect to other rising innovative regions worldwide. Nevertheless, the proven ability of its highly effective habitat suggests that in both innovation and entrepreneurship, Silicon Valley will maintain its edge.
Review
Must reading for anyone who wants to understand the driving point for the New Economy. Its especially gratifying to learn the story directly from some of the Valleys key figures.”John Young, retired CEO, Hewlett-Packard
Review
While a number of books have been written on Silicon Valley, this one is unequaled in combining observation and analysis by both scholars and key practitioners. Fine reading for scholars and sophisticated laypersons alike.”Richard R. Nelson, Columbia University
Synopsis
“Must reading for anyone who wants to understand the driving point for the New Economy. Its especially gratifying to learn the story directly from some of the Valleys key figures.”—John Young, retired CEO, Hewlett-Packard
“To emulate, one must first understand. This book is an essential guide for communities and individuals worldwide trying to understand and emulate this startling phenomenon known as Silicon Valley. It shows that by harnessing the power of abundant ideas, ‘Silicon Valley has become not just a place but a culture and a state of mind.”—Vinod Khosla, General Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers
Synopsis
What accounts for Silicon Valley's leading edge in innovation and entrepreneurship? This book gives an answer by insiders, by prominent business leaders and academics from the heart of the Valley. They argue that what distinguishes the Valley is not its scientific advances or technological breakthroughs. Instead, its edge derives from a complex "habitat" or environment that is tuned to turn ideas into products and take them rapidly to market by creating new firms.
About the Author
Must reading for anyone who wants to understand the driving point for the New Economy. Its especially gratifying to learn the story directly from some of the Valleys key figures.”John Young, retired CEO, Hewlett-PackardTo emulate, one must first understand. This book is an essential guide for communities and individuals worldwide trying to understand and emulate this startling phenomenon known as Silicon Valley. It shows that by harnessing the power of abundant ideas, Silicon Valley has become not just a place but a culture and a state of mind.”Vinod Khosla, General Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and ByersWhile a number of books have been written on Silicon Valley, this one is unequaled in combining observation and analysis by both scholars and key practitioners. Fine reading for scholars and sophisticated laypersons alike.”Richard R. Nelson, Columbia University
Table of Contents
Introduction; 1. The Silicon Valley habitat Chong-Moon Lee, William F. Miller, Marguerite Gong Hancock and Henry S. Rowen; 2. Mysteries of the region: knowledge dynamics in Silicon Valley John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid; Part I. Silicon Valley Today: 3. A profile of the Valley's evolving structure Doug Henton; 4. Life in Silicon Valley: a first-hand view of the region's growth E. Floyd Kvamme; 5. Innovation in business models T. Michael Nevens; 6. Four styles of Valley entrepreneurship Chong-Moon Lee; 7. Changing everything: the Internet revolution and Silicon valley Steve Jurvetson; Part II. The Evolution of Silicon Valley: 8. Fairchild semiconductor and its influence Christopher Lécuyer; 9. Serendipity or strategy: how technology and markets came to favor Silicon Valley Henry S. Rowen; 10. The role of Stanford University: a Dean's reflections James Gibbons; 11. Social networks in Silicon Valley' Emilio J. Castilla, Hokyu Hwang, Ellen Granovetter and Mark Granovetter; 12. Networks of immigrant entrepreneurs Annalee Saxeninan; Part III. A Clustered Community: 13. Venture capitalists: the coaches of Silicon Valley Thomas F. Hellmann; 14. The valley of deals: how venture capital helped shape the region P. Banatao and Kevin A. Fong; 15. Fueling the revolution: commercial bank financing John C. Dean; 16. Advising the new economy: the role of lawyers Craig W. Johnson; 17. Shepherding the faithful: the influence of executive search firms Thomas J. Friel; 18. Guiding the innovators: why accountants are valued James D. Atwell; 19. Free advice: consulting the Silicon Valley way Regis McKenna; Afterword: sustaining the edge Chong-Moon Lee, William F. Miller, Marguerite Gong Hancock and Henry S. Rowen; Notes; References; Index.