Technology Scouting Overview
Innovation Methodology: Technology Scouting
Technology Sourcing includes the identification of technology developments and the facilitation of the sourcing of technology.
Provisioning of Technology Intelligence to facilitate the Technology Management
Identification, assessment and usage of information on technological developments Acquisition, development, storage, usage and selling of technological knowledge
Technology Intelligence
Technology Management
Scouts identify and assess new technologies
Technology Scouting
Building and using a network of experts for competitive advantage
Scouts facilitate the sourcing of technology
Innovation Methodology: Technology Scouting
Technology Scouting Process consists of five Technology Intelligence steps plus the step of Technology Sourcing.
Definition of search areas
Selection of information sources and methods to employ
Collection of Data
Filtering, analyzing, interpreting of data
Evaluation and decision making
Usage of information and sourcing of technologies Collection of data
Innovation Methodology: Technology Scouting
Technology Sourcing supports the external sourcing of technology and the product specification and development. Innovation Management
Fuzzy-front-end of Innovation Product specification and development Prototype validation and testing Market Launch
Technology Management
External Technology Sourcing Storage, Internal generation and usage of technological knowledge Technology selling or licensing
Innovation Methodology: Technology Scouting
Framework for Empirical Research: PLS path analysis will be used to analyze the success factors of technology scouting and how to organize it best.
Factors
Management Areas
Scouting Success
Factors
Defined Process Functional interweavement Formalized connection to R&D Formulized connection to Marketing Methodological interweavement
Organizational Characteristics
Stimulation of Innovation Characteristics of the Scouts Facilitation of Technology Scouting Management of Scouting Network
Input for R&D projects Triggering of new R&D projects Triggering of new business field
Boundary spanner capabilities Network Size Technological competence Internal Network
Incentive System IT-Support Tools Balanced scout portfolio Role Differentiation
Help in assessment of technology Contact to relevant sources Sourcing needs identified Support in acquisition of technology Successful acquisition of technology
Innovation Methodology: Technology Scouting
Project Planning: PLS-path analysis and in-depth case studies will be used to study organization and success factors of technology scouting.
Quantitative Interviews/Case Studies
Qualitative Interviews
Model Building
Model Valuation
Writing of Dissertation
In depth interviews with 10 multinational companies
Modeling a framework for research on success factors of technology scouting
Build on the Hypothesis of the framework 50 qualitative Interviews are conducted.
In depth case studies will be conducted for six companies.
Based on the qualitative data, partial least-square path analysis is used to validate the hypothesis The case studies are analyzed to gain knowledge of best practices
The dissertation will discuss technology scouting as of a method of technology intelligence and technology management
Innovation Methodology: Technology Scouting
Motivation and Research Question: Further research on Technology Scouting is needed to identify success factors and to give recommendation on how to organize it. Increase in technology complexity Globalization of R&D Shorter product life cycles Increasing volatility of markets No sufficient research on . success factors and organization of technology scouting and ...interaction with other function of the organization
Motivation
Research Gap
Research Questions
What are the aims of Technology Scouting? What are important success factors of Technology Scouting? How should Technology Scouting be interweaved within the company? What organizational forms of Technology Scouting have proven to be effective?
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