As the Council on Competitiveness notes, "There are no ‘low tech’ industries—only low technology companies that fail to incorporate new ideas and methods into their products and processes. Innovation opportunities are present today in virtually any industry."

We explain the difference  by referring to a First Curve or Second Curve economy.  Our First Curve economy is dominated by hierarchical organizations focused on managing costs.  In the Second Curve economy, business models focus on creating networks and value webs. 

As Henry Chesbrough notes in his book Open Innovation,  the old industrial model of innovation has given way to a new approach based on building networks. 

These developments carry profound implications for regional economies. Regions that have  thick, open networks will be more prosperous. They will learn faster, spot their opportunities faster, align their resources faster, and act faster.  The disciplines, habits and practices that I-Open is developing  are designed to help regions compete in the Second Curve economy.