Determination, purpose and tasks of innovations and innovative activity

On the basis of analysis and generalization of the results of domestic and foreign scientific researchers, the article presents a concept of the ?innovation? and the ?innovative activity?. The different approaches that are related to the creation, the introduction and the distribution of the new in an economic sphere are shown. Connection is presented between innovations and investments. Innovative activity is important making system of measures on the acceleration of development of production, increases of his competitiveness and efficiency.