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Showing papers in "Technology Analysis & Strategic Management in 1995"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors analyzes the experiences of countries in using foresight to help in selecting and exploiting research that is likely to yield longer-term economic and social benefits, and also analyzes why some foresight exercises have proved more successful than others.
Abstract: Emerging generic technologies seem set to make a revolutionary impact on the economy and society. However, success in developing such technologies depends upon advances in science. Confronted with increasing global economic competition, policy-makers and scientists are grappling with the problem of how to select the most promising research areas and emerging technologies on which to target resources and, hence, derive the greatest benefits. This paper analyzes the experiences of Japan, the US, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the UK in using foresight to help in selecting and exploiting research that is likely to yield longer-term economic and social benefits. It puts forward a model of the foresight process for identifying research areas and technologies of strategic importance, and also analyzes why some foresight exercises have proved more successful than others. It concludes by drawing an analogy between models of innovation and foresight.

449 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Arie Rip1
TL;DR: In this article, the importance of articulation of demand and acceptability, and how these are part of large socio-technical transformations, are transformed into thirteen suggestions for successful introduction of new technology.
Abstract: Retrospective studies have shown the non-linear and situated character of technological developments; the importance of articulation of demand and of acceptability, and how these are part of large socio-technical transformations; and how technical nd socio-technical alogment activities occur and are consciously shaped by ‘macro-actors’. These insights are transformed into thirteen suggestions for successful introduction of new technology.

174 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a grounded theoretical framework of R&D technology cooperation based on the congruence of existing theories of interorganizational relationships is proposed, which is grounded in the empirical experiences of the industry-university cooperative centers in the US.
Abstract: This article proposes a grounded theoretical framework of R&D technology cooperation based on the congruence of existing theories of inter-organizational relationships. The theory is grounded in the empirical experiences of the industry-university cooperative centers in the US. It addresses two research questions: (1) Why do universities and industrial companies engage in cooperatioe R&D? (2) What factors affect their survival? Perceived resource dependency is proposed to be a motivator for initiating cooperative R&D. Interaction theories explain survivability, in that prior interaction between the parties and the degree of institutionalization of the interactions are hypothesized to explain survival over time. The intensity of interaction is also suggested to improve the chances for survival, but within a range of optimality (not too much and not too little). Iimitations and implications for research and poliy are also discussed.

148 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Steve Conway1
TL;DR: The role and importance of informal boundary-spanning communication in the innovation process has been evaluated in this paper, where it was found that inormal mechanisms were often employed to transfer ideas and information, as well as other resources, during the idea-generation, problem-solving and field-testing phases of these innovation phases.
Abstract: The sources of ideas embodied uithln successful technological innovation have been a subject of interest in many studies since the 1950s. This research suggests that sources external to the innovating organization account for between 34% and 65% of the inputs important to the development of successful innovation. In addition, studies have long highlighted personal boundary-spanning communication as an important mechanism for the transference of such ideas. Despite this recognition, there has been little systematic evaluation of the role and importance of informal boundary-spanning communication in the innovation process. This paper provides the results of an empirical study, of the role and source of infomally derived inputs into the development products of 35 commercially successful innovations. It was found that inormal mechanisms were often enlployad to transfer ideas and information, as well as other resources, during the idea-generation, ,problem-solving and field-testing phases of these innovation p...

117 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the development of environmental technologies, many initiatives are taken by citizen groups and non-governmental organizations, outside the institutional structures of firms and governments as discussed by the authors, and these initiatives are calied social experiments.
Abstract: In the development implementation of environmental technologies, many initiatives are taken by citizen groups and non-governmental organizations, outside the institutional structures of firms and governments. These initiatives are calied social experiments. Based on three case studies, this paper explores the emergence, organizational structure and innovation processes of these social experiments, and their contribution to the development of environmental technologies as a whole.

78 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a conceptual framework for exploring the role of collaborations in the management and development of environmentally sensi cious technology is presented, where the authors analyze the management, development and effect of collaborative networks on the greening of technology.
Abstract: Environmental issues are acknowledged as problems which transcend boundaries at organizational and societal levles. By adopting the notion of product stewardship, companies are required to manage their products from conception to resurrection, while recognizing many stakeholder interests. This demands a new style of management which emphasizes collaborative structures. In the case of teh development of greener, more environmentally sensitive technology, there is a role for new collaborative networks which affect technology in either incremental or revolutionary ways. These networks can exist within the organization (intra-organizational), between organizations in the supply chain (trans-organizational) and with organizations at the domain level (supra-organizational). This paper analyzes the management, development and effect of thse networks on the greening of technology. It sets out a conceptual framework for exploring the role of collaborations in the management and development of environmentally sensi...

57 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper explores the development of standards for electronic data interchange (EDI), which are needed to allow the inter-organizational exchange of structured information between computer system and focuses on the EDIFACT message development process.
Abstract: This paper explores the development of standards for electronic data interchange (EDI), which are needed to allow the inter-organizational exchange of structured information between computer system. It focuses on the EDIFACT message development process which began informally as a mechanism for developing international standards for EDI. Since its inception, the rapidly growing scope of the process—in terms of the numbers of message being developed., geography and range of industrial sectors—has forced the process to become increasingly formalized. As the process has widened outside Europe, it has become necessary for it to accommodate a wider range og business practices and reconcile the competing objectives of user groups. For many user groups, the focus of their interest in message develpment has moved from the development of EDIFACT standard message to agreement on the use of subsets of these message. A particular issue has been teh moves in the US to align the national EDI standard ANSI X12 with EDIFA...

51 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a conceptual and empirical study of the problems that companies and managers face in formulating a "technology strategy" is presented, where the main issues in technology strategy decisions can be characterized as having acquisation management and exploitation elements and an internal-external dimension.
Abstract: This paper is a conceptual and empirical study of the problems that companies and managers face in formulating a ‘technology strategy’. The main issues in technology strategy decisions can be charactented as having acquisation management and exploitation elements and an internal-external dimension. The research on which the paper is based aims to link and develop these elements within a wider conceptual context. It reports that, empirical results of one questionnaire and two interview surveys on technology strategy, as practised by UK companies and managers. The findings from the studies and their implications are discussed for the technology strategy itself for the significance of the company industry and technology setting; and-fir the underlying problem of how managers think about the firms technologies. The conclusion is that the problems of formulating a technology strategy are more deeply rooted than has previously been suggested.

40 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the effect of technological discontinuities on the competitive position of companies within an industry and argue that technological discontinuity affects market shares, by altering the barriers to entry and mobility, and by being more or less in accordance with the different firms' vision about the future, implying variations in the time needed to detect and accept the new threat or opportunity.
Abstract: This article discuss in a tentative way what determines the effect of technological discontinuities on the competitive position. of companies within an industry. Three cases of technological change are anahzed: the change from manual to romputer numericalb controlled metal cutting machine tools, the change from stand-alone machine tools to flexible manufacturing systems; and the change from non-cellular to cellular mobile telephony It is argued that the character of technological discontinuity affects market shares, by altering the barriers to entry and mobility, and by being more or less in accordance with the different firms’ vision about the future, implying variations in the time needed to detect and accept the new threat or opportunity. A technological discontinuity that includes a new threat or opportunig. A technological discontinuip that involues a new generic technology which substitutes for rather than adds to the previous technology base is seen as being most disruptive. The time actualb availa...

25 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the adoption of electronic data interchange (EDI) in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector within the UK was investigated based on evidence from a survey, conducted during 1992, investigating the adoption and adoption of EDI.
Abstract: This paper is based on evidence from a survey, conducted during 1992, investigating the adoption of electronic data interchange (EDI) amog neraly 20 furms in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector within the UK. In particular, it focuses on the factors behind the adoption and diffusion of EDI, and the barriers to its uptake and spread. It also analyzes some of the strategic, organizational and managerial issues behind its implementatio and development. The survey highlights the relatively slow rate of adoption of EDI within this sector and key problems that inhibit its uptake. These include issues of costs, standards and the increasingly fragmented nature of purchasing and logistics that results from reorganization within the UK healthcare system.

24 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors consider various treatments of flexibility that reside within the walls of different, disconnected discourses on the notion and apply a range of concepts which have relevance to flexibility to a reinterpretation of a study of North Sea oil technology, first conducted some years ago.
Abstract: Writers from different academic and functional disciplines and perspectives have analyzed and prescribed the development of flexibility, primarily as a means for enabling organizations to cope with changing competitive conditions. However, there is somewhat little agreement, or even awareness, of what is meant by ‘flexibility’ within and across various fields (e.g. strategic management, organization theory and science and technology studies, and operations management). The degree of confusion and looseness associated with the use of the term ‘flexibility’ has prompted some researchers in one area (organization studies/ industrial relations) to call for a move away from the concept. The purpose of this paper is to consider various treatments of flexibility that reside within the walls of different, disconnected discourses on the notion. By applying a range of concepts which have relevance to flexibility to a reinterpretation of a study of North Sea oil technology, first conducted some years ago, it is inte...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The paper examines the actual and potential roles of business users of telecommunications services in influencing the development of technical standards and argues that this new standardization environment mandates a much more active role for users.
Abstract: The paper examines the actual and potential roles of business users of telecommunications services in influencing the development of technical standards. Variours institutional structures in the user community are examined as they relate to user particioation in formally constituted standards development arganizations. Discreparcies between users and suppliers in participatory motivations, strategies and resources are noted. The standardization process in telecommunications emerges as a technology-push initiative led by the suplly industries. However, structural changes in the telecommunications industries have resulted in new approaches to standards making. As a result, standards have acquired a new significane in terms of user control user technical and service evolution. Using the development of European standards for digital wireless telephony as an example, it is argued that this new standardization environment mandates a much more active role for users. However, it is also argued that the user stake...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The literature of the 1980s was full of exhortations to companies to use information technology (IT) strategically as mentioned in this paper, which meant using IT to gain competitice advantage of one.sort or another.
Abstract: The literature of the 1980s was full of exhortations to companies to use information technology (IT) strategically. On the whole. thn meant using IT to gain competitice advantage of one .sort or another. By the end of the decode and into the 1990s, the claims for IT were less bullish and, in some sectors, IT began to be seen as a strategic necessity rather than as a means to gaining competitive advantage. There were suggestions that the high level of IT investment in certain sectors was becoming a competitioe burden. For example, research into the strategic use of IT in the banking sector-a heavy incestor in IT in the past and recently subject to changes which have increased competition pressures—proivides evidence to support such contentions. Attempts to move from one technological technological trajectory which supported the old competitive environment to a trajectory more in line with the new customer-oriented environment have been hampered by a number of factors. It is as the banks have become caught ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The linkage model links scientists' research to the immediatt needs of business and decreases the likelihood of major breakthroughs occurring in technological in.innovation as mentioned in this paper, which is a negative effect.
Abstract: Since the mid-1980s, industrial R & D in the US has been going through major changes, i.e. a decline in industrial RD most of the changes are new and have not been examined in the literature. This paper draws the attention of scholars to recent changes in the management qf znnovatzon and sugests further study. The linkage model links scientists' research to the immediatt needs of business. However, it also decreases the likelihood of major breakthroughs occurring in technological in.innovation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the extent of indigenous incoltlement in the network and the influence of the currrent pressures of economic and policy changes on the performance and strategic planning of these compnies.
Abstract: In the course of the last 25 years the UK has seen the emergence of a new, technologically advanced network of organisations underpinning the technical needs of the oil and gas extraction industry.The euolution of this industy network has taken place within a public policy framework which has had too central objectives: to maximize UK industrial involvement in the industry and to maximize. North Sea oil and gas extraction. The extent to which this framework has encouraged the development of new, technology-based firms has not been systematical stuided. This study examines the extent of indigenous incoltlement in the network and the influence of the currrent pressures of economic and policy changes on the performance and strategic planning of these compnies.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper takes as an example the production of physics laboratories in Marseille, and shows how the various levels of analysis can move from virtual to real research universes, thus helping the experts in their decision process.
Abstract: The analysis of large research production, such as universities, towns, cities or even countries, can be performed in several ways. These various approaches can range from the experts′ feeling to a more precise analysis of co-authors′ productivity. The various results obtained introduce the concept of ‘virtual research universes’ where the global perception of the production hides the sharp reality of objectives and subjects. The ability to apply the various methodologies and tools to make such analysis can reduce misunderstanding and misleading positions, especially in funding, planning and project evaluation. This paper takes as an example the production of physics laboratories in Marseille (from the INSPEC databae), and shows how the various levels of analysis can move from virtual to real research universes, thus helping the experts in their decision process.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the failure to appropriate ink jet technologies in Sweden and the reasons for such failure include, non-complementarity of university research with the existing industrial base; weaknesses in the industrial structure; and an absence of complementaly assets required for the appropriation of innouations.
Abstract: In industrialized countries,innovations generated through academic research are considered inportant for the advancement of a nation's technological frontiers. However, nations often fail to appropriate such innovations. This paper discusses the failure to appropriate ink jet technologies in Sweden. Ink jet technologies, which are currently widely used in computer printers, consist mainly of two alternative technologies-continuous ink jet technologies and drop-on-demand technologies. Both these alternative technologies originated in the Swedish uniuersig structure. However, both innovations failed to be incorporated into the Swedish industrial structure and have been successfully commercialized by foreign companies. The reasons for such failure include, non-complementarity of university research with the existing industrial base; weaknesses in ihe industrial structure; and an absence of complementaly assets required for the appropriation of innouations. This paper analyzes the requirements for successful ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine several Candian example f the changing nature of research, with particular reference to the role of instrumentation; it also outlines the particular challenges that small open econmies must face with respect to instrument-intensive rese...
Abstract: Science policy is being challenged. Conceptions of innovation and the nature of research are rapidly being forced beyond traditional views which see innovation as a linear process and science policy in terms of funding issues. Indeed, the policy challenge is being defined by the tension between trying to conduct or encourage research that is at or near an expanding research frontier, while simultaneously functioning within ‘steady state’ fiscal environments. One key manifestation of this challenge—which is underpinned by a new social contract between the scientific and government communities—is being expressed in terms of the changing role that research instrumentation is playing with regard to research management, research policy and research planning. This paper examines several Candian example f the changing nature of research, with particular reference to the role of instrumentation; it also outlines the particular challenges that small open econmies must face with respect to instrument-intensive rese...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify the re-emergence of the co-location of elements of the production process with the distribution process in a range of consumer series and indicate how this trend might be examined within a posi-Fordist framework.
Abstract: This paper identifies ,re-emergence, of the co-location of elements of the production 'process with the distribution process in a range of consumer series. It suggests that this trend is being facilitated by technological development, particularity in control systems, that allow many of the benefits of centralized production to be achieved with decentralized production and that co-location satisfies additional consumer preferences, not achievable with centralized production. The authors indicate how this trend might be examined within a posi--Fordist framework.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the metal-bashing image of two large engineering firms was examined and it was found that senior mangement at one of the firms found the image to be so incompatible with global aspiration that it was deliberately expunged.
Abstract: ‘Metal-bashing’ is a derogatory term, implaying unsophisticated engineering. Few modem engineering firms covet a metal-bashing image and probably none would encourage a metal-bashing culture. However, changing an image and expunging a culture present problems for the organization when both are reinforced by beliefs that transcend organizational boundaries. Engineering itself has a metal-bashing image—part of an engineering myth which also includes characteristics which the modern engineering firm would wish to ratain. This paper is concerned with the images of two large engineering firms. In both cases, the firm's image had reflection of the firm's businesses and in neither case was the image deliberately cultivated. However, in one case, senior mangement deemed the metal-bashng image to be so incompatible with global aspiration: that it was deliberately expunged. In the other firm, the same image was seen as less damaging to international aspirations and no specific efforts were made to change it. This p...


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors draw upon the traditions of social construction of technology and actol-net work theory, in an attempt to show that just as these approaches have been used to expose the contingent nature of technical change, they can also be adapted to show the contingency of the social aspects of technology, such as redundancy and technological unemployment.
Abstract: This paper draws upon the traditions of social construction of technology and actol-net work theory, in an attempt to show that just as these approaches have been used to expose the contingent nature of ‘technical’ change, they can also be adapted to show the contingency of the ‘social’ aspects of technology, such as redundancy and technological unemployment, which have in recent years assumed an almost unassailable sense of inevitability. This process is begun when technology is viewed as a social network. Then focusing on the production phase in the life cycle of a technical system, it is argued here that the,jettisoning of both people and technical resources from the network may get presented as part of technology's ‘natural’ trajectoly, but is often part of the (socio-technical) ‘heterogenous engineering’ necessary for the stabilization of that technology. and consequently need not be seen as inevitable.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the efficiency and complementarity of these approaches through consideration of Australian rural research and development is examined, and the authors assess their value as well as assess the change in the sector.
Abstract: Recent research has examined ‘systems’ o f innovation at the ‘national’ and ‘technology’ levels. This paper examines the efficiency and complementarity of these approaches through consideration of Australian rural research and development. Australian rural research and development underwent a period of sustained organizational and managerial charge during the 1980s and ear& 1990s. Much of that change has been surrounded by controvercy, due to the nature ofthe reforms that haze been implemented in the sector. The transition from a scattered and disparate research effort prior to 1985, to an effort which is today highly structured, commodity specific and strategically oriented, raises a number of issues concerning the processes used, the motirlation for the change and the manner in which change has been accomplished, The systems approaches of Nelson, Lundvall and Carlsson are used in this paper to examine the reforms that have been experienced in the sector. In so doing, the paper assesses their value as me...