Pincered between the US's established technical prowess and Asia's growing dynamism, the European Union has declared innovation a policy priority. Entrepreneurship is encouraged as never before. The roles of research and development and higher education are stressed.

Unfortunately, these important initiatives undervalue perhaps the most important transformation now redefining the world's innovation economy. Ingenious leading-edge users - not everyday consumers or profit-focused producers - are becoming the economic engines that drive innovation. In sectors as diverse as software, biotechnology, medical instrumentation, telecommunications and sports equipment, users are spurring growth.