Technology scouting is an element of technology management in which
- (1) emerging technologies are identified,
- (2) technology related information is channeled into an organization, and
- (3) supports the acquisition of technologies.[1][2]
It is a starting point of a long term and interactive matching process between external technologies and internal requirements of an existing organization for strategic purposes.[3] This matching may also be aided by technology roadmapping.[4] Technology scouting is also known to be part of competitive intelligence, which firms apply as a tool of competitive strategy.[5] It can also be regarded as a method of technology forecasting[6] or in the broader context also an element of corporate foresight.[7] Technology scouting may also be applied as an element of an open innovation approach.[8][9] Technology scouting is seen as an essential element of a modern technology management system.[10]
The technology scout is either an employee of the company or an external consultant who engages in boundary spanning processes to tap into novel knowledge and span internal boundaries.[11] They may be assigned part-time or full-time to the scouting task. The desired characteristics of a technology scout are similar to the characteristics associated with the technological gatekeeper. These characteristics include being a lateral thinker, knowledgeable in science and technology, respected inside the company, cross-disciplinary orientated, and imaginative personality.[1] Technology scouts would also often play a vital role in a formalised technology foresight process.[12]
Case studies
editDocumented case studies include:
| Organization | Project | Year |
|---|---|---|
| DZSF | "DZSF - Projekte - Voruntersuchung zu Gestaltung und Betrieb eines teilautomatisierten Technologiescouting-Systems"[13][14][15] | 2022 |
| Deutsche Telekom | "Technology Scouting - a Case Study on the Deutsche Telekom Laboratories"[16] | 2007 |
| Phonak | "Technology intelligence systems: practices and models for large, medium-sized and start-up companies"[17] | 2006 |
| Novartis | "Organisation der Technology intelligence : eine empirische Untersuchung der Technologiefrühaufklärung in technologieintensiven Grossunternehmen"[18] | 2002 |
| Elf Aquitaine | "Science and Technology Scouting at Elf Aquitaine"[6] | 1993 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Rohrbeck, René (2010-03-01). "Harnessing a network of experts for competitive advantage: technology scouting in the ICT industry". R&D Management. 40 (2): 169–180. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9310.2010.00601.x. ISSN 1467-9310. S2CID 154201060.
- ^ Wolff, Michael F. (1992). "Scouting for Technology". Research Technology Management. 35 (2): 10–12. JSTOR 24156524.
- ^ Holzmann, Thomas; Sailer, Klaus; Galbraith, Brendan; Katzy, Bernhard R. (23 June 2014). "Matchmaking for open innovation – theoretical perspectives based on interaction, rather than transaction". Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. 26 (6): 595–599. doi:10.1080/09537325.2014.913344. S2CID 8890066.
- ^ Phaal, Robert; Farrukh, Clare J.P.; Probert, David R. (2004). "Technology roadmapping—A planning framework for evolution and revolution". Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 71 (1–2): 5–26. doi:10.1016/s0040-1625(03)00072-6.
- ^ Brenner, Merrill S. (1996-09-01). "Technology intelligence and technology scouting". Competitive Intelligence Review. 7 (3): 20–27. doi:10.1002/cir.3880070306. ISSN 1520-6386.
- ^ a b Bodelle, Jacques; Jablon, Claude (1993-09-01). "Science and Technology Scouting at Elf Aquitaine". Research-Technology Management. 36 (5): 24–28. doi:10.1080/08956308.1993.11670924. ISSN 0895-6308.
- ^ Rohrbeck, Rene (2010) Corporate Foresight: Towards a Maturity Model for the Future Orientation of a Firm, Physica-Verlag, Heidelberg and New York, ISBN 978-3-7908-2625-8
- ^ Spitsberg, Irene; Brahmandam, Sudhir; Verti, Michael J.; Coulston, George W. (2013-07-01). "Technology Landscape Mapping: At the Heart of Open Innovation". Research-Technology Management. 56 (4): 27–35. doi:10.5437/08956308X5604107. ISSN 0895-6308. S2CID 153099807.
- ^ Rohrbeck, René; Hölzle, Katharina; Gemünden, Hans Georg (2009-09-01). "Opening up for competitive advantage – How Deutsche Telekom creates an open innovation ecosystem". R&D Management. 39 (4): 420–430. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9310.2009.00568.x. ISSN 1467-9310. S2CID 153682248.
- ^ Edler, Jakob; Meyer-Krahmer, Frieder; Reger, Guido (2002-03-01). "Changes in the strategic management of technology: results of a global benchmarking study". R&D Management. 32 (2): 149–164. doi:10.1111/1467-9310.00247. ISSN 1467-9310.
- ^ Klueter, Thomas; Monteiro, Felipe (2017-06-01). "How Does Performance Feedback Affect Boundary Spanning in Multinational Corporations? Insights from Technology Scouts". Journal of Management Studies. 54 (4): 483–510. doi:10.1111/joms.12252. ISSN 1467-6486. S2CID 158036607.
- ^ Reger, Guido (2001-12-01). "Technology Foresight in Companies: From an Indicator to a Network and Process Perspective". Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. 13 (4): 533–553. doi:10.1080/09537320127286. ISSN 0953-7325. S2CID 8598335.
- ^ Blumenthal, Frederick; Buder, Thomas; Löbling, Lisa; Sickenberger, Thorsten; Tagiew, Rustam; Tilly, Roman; Yao-Lakaschus, Phillip (2023). "Ein Technologie-Scouting-System für Recherche und Vernetzung im Schienenverkehrssektor". ETR – Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau. 01–02.
- ^ Tagiew, Rustam; Witzler, Sebastian; Portier, Martin (2022). "Towards Assessing Digital Technologies for the Future of Mobility". SSRN. Social Science Research Network. doi:10.2139/ssrn.4151745.
- ^ Tagiew, Rustam; Tilly, Roman; Lobling, Lisa; Blumenthal, Frederick (2023). "Technology Scouting as Persuasive Technology" (PDF). In Felix Nti Koranteng; Nilufar Baghaei; Sandra Burri Gram-Hansen (eds.). 18th International Conference on Persuasive Technology, Adjunct Proceedings co-located with PERSUASIVE 2023. Vol. 3474. CEUR-WS. ISSN 1613-0073.
- ^ Rohrbeck, René (2007). "Technology Scouting - a Case Study on the Deutsche Telekom Laboratories". SSRN 1896150.
- ^ Savioz, Pascal (2006). "Technology intelligence systems: practices and models for large, medium-sized and start-up companies". International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning. 2 (4): 360. doi:10.1504/ijtip.2006.011707.
- ^ Lichtenthaler, Eckhard Rainer Volker (2002). Organisation der Technology intelligence: eine empirische Untersuchung der Technologiefrühaufklärung in technologieintensiven Grossunternehmen (Thesis). Zürich: Verlag Industrielle Organisation. ISBN 978-3-85743-605-5. OCLC 52477904.