Predicting Creativity and Innovation in Society: The Importance of Places, the Importance of Governance

Places causally impact the development of creativity and innovation. Observable patterns include “creative explosions” at some places and times, which contrast to phases of continuity at other locations and times. But what characteristics of places enhance or trim creativity? This paper draws attention to governance, which strongly impacts emerging creative work in the region. We therefore introduce a four-leaf clover model in design thinking, according to which promising innovation is (1) desirable in terms of human values, (2) feasible in terms of technology, (3) viable in terms of business models, and (4) legal in terms of governance. Making a start in quantifying the impact of governance, we share a case study on genetic engineering in European agriculture. Furthermore, the TYPE method is introduced as an approach to compare rates of creativity and innovation in a region under current regulation as opposed to a hypothetical scenario without regulation. Subsequently, we suggest key figures to trace the innovation potential in a region over time, building on the computational process model of invention. Such key figures allow comparisons between regions on behalf of their overall innovation potential, and they reveal profiles of strengths and weakness in terms of available resources for creative work. This chapter closes with a discussion of governance approaches that trim creativity and innovation, as opposed to governance approaches that raise the innovation potential in a region.