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From symbolic values to symbolic innovation: Internet-memes and innovation

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  • Benaim, Mickael

Abstract

Innovation studies has largely focused on technological assets, while leaving other sources and forms of innovation less tackled. Among this neglected corpus, this article stresses the important role played by symbolic value in the consumption and production processes of innovative goods and services. I explore especially Internet-memes that represent iconic productions of the Internet ‘lead culture’, which embed significant symbolic values. This article therefore, refers to the economic sociology and innovation management literature to emphasise the force of these creations of symbolic value by culture-lead communities, through their production of Internet-memes. I argue that Internet-memes represent a widespread source of innovation in various sectors (from cultural industries to less expect ones like finance). While exploratory, the present study extends the debate on the nature of innovation, its symbolic and cultural aspects and its diffusion processes. It ultimately suggests potential new paths for innovation policies to tackle these new forms of innovations.

Suggested Citation

  • Benaim, Mickael, 2018. "From symbolic values to symbolic innovation: Internet-memes and innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(5), pages 901-910.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:47:y:2018:i:5:p:901-910
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2018.02.014
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    1. Yang Liu & Yaojun Fan & Yifan Wang & Jiayu Huang & Hu Xun, 2024. "City innovation ability and internet infrastructure development: Evidence from the “Broadband China” policy," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 76(1), pages 121-146, January.
    2. Mandi Tian & Zuoren Sun, 2024. "Does the Innovative City Pilot Policy Improve Urban Resilience? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-27, November.
    3. Min Lin, 2022. "Innovative Risk Early Warning Model under Data Mining Approach in Risk Assessment of Internet Credit Finance," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 59(4), pages 1443-1464, April.
    4. Jung, Sang Hoon & Jeong, Yong Jin, 2021. "Examining stock markets and societal mood using Internet memes," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 32(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Internet-meme; Symbolic value; Symbolic innovation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • O39 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Other
    • M3 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising

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