Extension innovation method is an approach to originality generation. It utilizes basic theories of Extenics, a new discipline for modeling contradiction problems with formalized methods and transformation, to establish a modeling and quantification combined method that can be learned effortlessly and operated conveniently. This book introduces and analyzes commonly used extension innovation methods are introduced and analyzed thoroughly. It makes it easy for readers at different levels and of different knowledge backgrounds to study. Highly accessible cases faciliate understanding and application of the models.

Extension innovation method is an approach to originality generation. It utilizes basic theories of Extenics, a new discipline for modeling contradiction problems with formalized methods and transformation, to establish a modeling and quantification combined method that can be learned effortlessly and operated conveniently. This book introduces and analyzes commonly used extension innovation methods are introduced and analyzed thoroughly. It makes it easy for readers at different levels and of different knowledge backgrounds to study. Highly accessible cases faciliate understanding and application of the models.

Society forges ahead in the process of solving various contradictory problems and it is ceaselessly innovating. It is the desire of mankind to use computers and computing networks to help deal with contradictory problems and to conduct innovative activities. Using formal models to discuss object extension and the possibility of change, as well as the rules and methods for innovation, Extenics is applied to solving contradictory problems and has become the basic theory, method and instrument to achieve this goal. In the 30 years since the foundation of Extenics, researchers have built relatively complete theoretical systems —‘extension theory’, studied formal and modeling innovation methods —‘extension innovation methods’, and launched the applications in various fields such as information, design, automation and management etc. —‘extension engineering’. Extension theory, the extension innovation method and extension engineering jointly constitute the new discipline—Extenics. At the same time, the practical activities of engineering technology and management promote the integration of various innovation methods such as TRIZ and brainstorming etc. This book collects together, from scholars in various fields, the research achievements in Extenics and innovation methods, in order to facilitate and promote the development of Extenics and the various innovation theories and methods, as well as to improve its innovative capacity in academic and business circles.

Society forges ahead in the process of solving various contradictory problems and it is ceaselessly innovating. It is the desire of mankind to use computers and computing networks to help deal with contradictory problems and to conduct innovative activities. Using formal models to discuss object extension and the possibility of change, as well as the rules and methods for innovation, Extenics is applied to solving contradictory problems and has become the basic theory, method and instrument to achieve this goal. In the 30 years since the foundation of Extenics, researchers have built relatively complete theoretical systems —‘extension theory’, studied formal and modeling innovation methods —‘extension innovation methods’, and launched the applications in various fields such as information, design, automation and management etc. —‘extension engineering’. Extension theory, the extension innovation method and extension engineering jointly constitute the new discipline—Extenics. At the same time, the practical activities of engineering technology and management promote the integration of various innovation methods such as TRIZ and brainstorming etc. This book collects together, from scholars in various fields, the research achievements in Extenics and innovation methods, in order to facilitate and promote the development of Extenics and the various innovation theories and methods, as well as to improve its innovative capacity in academic and business circles.

The processes of generating innovative solutions mostly rely on skilled experts who are usually unavailable and their outcomes have uncertainty. Computer science and information technology are changing the innovation environment and accumulating Big Data from which a lot of knowledge is to be discovered.

This important book is the re-titled third edition of the extremely well received and widely used Agricultural Extension (van den Ban & Hawkins, 1988, 1996). Building on the previous editions, Communication for Rural Innovation maintains and adapts the insights and conceptual models of value today, while reflecting many new ideas, angles and modes of thinking concerning how agricultural extension is taught and carried through today. Since the previous edition of the book, the number and type of organisations that apply communicative strategies to foster change and development in agriculture and resource management has become much more varied and this book is aimed at those who use communication to facilitate change in agriculture and resource management. Communication for Rural Innovation is essential reading for process facilitators, communication division personnel, knowledge managers, training officers, consultants, policy makers, extension specialists and managers of agricultural extension or research organisations. The book can also be used as an advanced introduction into issues of communicative intervention at BSc or MSc level.