Innovating in a Secret World

Our national security increasingly depends on access to the most sophisticated and advanced technology. Yet, the next time we set out to capture a terrorist leader we may fail. Why? The answer lies in a conflict between two "worlds." One is the dynamic, global, commercial world with its thriving innovation landscape. The other is the world of national security, in which innovation is a matter of life or death. The conflict is about secrecy. Innovating in a Secret World is a detailed examination of the U.S. government and innovation landscapes and the current trends in national security-related research and development (R&D), so often secret. Author and researcher Srivastava evaluates whether the execution of technology innovation strategy in that world is unintentionally leaving certain innovations behind or is unintentionally precluding certain classes of innovators from participating. She identifies the unintended consequences and emergent behaviors that result. This unfolds in a complex, dynamic system that includes the legal framework in which technology innovation must exist. Srivastava suggests an emerging class of R&D strategy called open innovation-a strategy that pertains to broadening participation in innovation beyond an individual organization or division traditionally assigned to perform R&D activities. Through compelling stories of commercial and early government applications, Srivastava shows how open technology innovation strategies are promising and potentially advantageous in enabling, accelerating, and enhancing technology innovation. If open innovation could be successfully applied to closed U.S. government R&D, the benefits to national security and global leadership would be profound.