Executive Summary
In a recent blog post on innovation, Joseph E. Stiglitz, who is, among other things, a Nobel laureate in economics and a professor at Columbia University, discussed what he described as “the innovation enigma.” In short, he says there isn’t always a clear link between innovation and GDP statistics, which he equates with improved living standards. Stiglitz goes on to discuss the fact that innovation in the financial services sector—especially as illustrated by innovations popular before the 2008 economic collapse—often meant “devising better ways of scamming others, manipulating markets without getting caught (at least for a long time), and exploiting market power.”
Not exactly the rosy glow that “innovation” usually engenders, huh? Is it possible for innovation in the financial services sector to create positive results for the “little guy?” Or is financial services innovation, by its very nature, just about creating profits?
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