Technology Innovation: Models, Dynamics, and Processes

Description

Technology Innovation discusses the fundamental aspects of processes and structures of technology innovation. It offers a new perspective concerning fundamentals aspects not directly involved in the complex relations existing between technology and the socio-economic system. By considering technology and its innovation from a scientific point of view, the book presents a novel definition of technology as a set of physical, chemical and biological phenomena, producing an effect exploitable for human purposes. Expanding on the general model of technology innovation by linking the model of technology, based on a structure of technological operations, with the models of the structures for technology innovation, based on organization of fluxes of knowledge and capitals, the book considers various technological processes and the stages of the innovation process. Explains a novel definition of technology as a set of physical, chemical and biological phenomena producing an effect exploitable for human purposes. Discusses technology innovation as result of structures organizing fluxes of knowledge and capitals. Provides a technology model simulating the functioning of technology with its optimization. Presents a technology innovation model explaining the territorial technology innovation process. Offers a perspective on the evolution of technology in the frame of an industrial platform network. The book is intended for academics, graduate students and technology developers who are involved in operations management and research, innovation and technology development. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of figures List of tables Preface Acknowledgments Author Biography List of Abbreviations 1 Introduction References 2 The Nature and Definition of Technology 2.1 Brief History of Technology and Its Innovation 2.2 Philosophic Thought about Technology 2.2.1 Martin Heidegger Thought about Technology and Its Dangers 2.2.2 Hans-Georg Gadamer's Thought about Technology and Its Dangers 2.3 The Various Definitions of Technology and Its Innovation References 3 A Scientific Definition of Technology 3.1 Importance of Technologies without Economic Purposes 3.2 Limits of Studies of Technology from Only an Economic Point of View 3.3 The Study of Technology from a Scientific Point of View References 4 Scientific Models of Technology and Its Innovation 4.1 Elaboration of a Scientific Model of Technology Innovation 4.2 The Model of Technology 4.2.1 Technological Space 4.2.2 Technological Landscape 4.2.3 Space of Technologies 4.2.4 Technology Ecosystem 4.3 Technological Processes 4.3.1 Externality Effect 4.3.2 Intranality Effect 4.3.3 Ramification of Technologies 4.4 Technology Transfer and Knowhow 4.5 Models of the Organizational Structures for Technology Innovation 4.5.1 The Industrial R&D System 4.5.2 The Startup-Venture Capital System 4.5.3 The Industrial Platform System 4.5.4 Comparison among the Various Organizational Structures 4.6 The Stages of Technology Innovation 4.6.1 Generation of Innovative Idea for the Technological Innovation Process 4.6.2 Development and Formation of a New Technology 4.6.3 Generation of Innovations during the Use of a Technology 4.7 A General Model of Technology Innovation References 5 Innovation and Technology Innovation 5.1 General Definition of Innovation 5.2 The Various Types of Organizational Innovations 5.2.1 Agile Innovation 5.2.2 Digital Innovation 5.2.3 Dual Innovation 5.2.4 Environmental Innovation 5.2.5 Frugal Innovation 5.2.6 Minor (Incremental) Innovation 5.2.7 Open Innovation 5.2.8 Participatory Innovation 5.2.9 Radical (Disruptive) Innovation 5.2.10 Responsible Innovation 5.2.11 Reverse Innovation 5.2.12 Strategic Innovation 5.3 Considerations about Innovation References 6 The Complexity of Technology 6.1 Complexity of Technology 6.2 Definition of the Various Types of Systems 6.2.1 Simple Systems 6.2.2 Complicated Systems 6.2.3 Complex Systems 6.3 Complexity Concepts and Phenomena 6.3.1 Emergence 6.3.2 Adaptation 6.3.3 Evolvability 6.3.4 Robustness 6.3.5 Coevolution 6.3.6 Learning 6.3.7 Self-Organization 6.3.8 Networking 6.3.9 Feedback Loop 6.4 Types of Complex Systems 6.4.1 Chaotic System 6.4.2 Auto-Organized Critical System 6.4.3 Complex Adaptive System 6.4.4 Network System 6.5 Processes in the Complex Systems 6.5.1 Phase Transition and Autocatalysis 6.5.2 Cycles 6.6 Models of Complex Systems 6.6.1 Small World Network Model 6.6.2 NK Model 6.6.3 Fitness Landscape 6.6.4 Complex Adaptive System Models 6.7 Science of Complexity and Technology Innovation 6.7.1 Generation of Innovative Ideas 6.7.2 Development of the Technology 6.7.3 Use of the Technology 6.7.4 Feedback Loops in Technology Innovations 6.8 Importance of Complexity of Technology References 7 Technology and the Environment 7.1 Physical Limits and Development Times of Environmental Technologies 7.2 The Precautional Principle and the Question of Risk 7.3 Technology and the Environmental Problems 7.3.1 Pollution 7.3.2 Depletion of Resources 7.3.3 Global Warming 7.4 Industrial Environmental Models 7.4.1 Natural Capitalism 7.4.2 Circular Economy 7.4.3 Comparison of the Two Industrial Environmental Approaches 7.5 Technology and the Problem of Global Warming 7.6 Technology Innovation and Green Technologies 7.6.1 Green Technologies for Environmental Problems 7.6.2 Green Technologies and the Organizational Structures for Innovation References 8 Applications of the Models 8.1 Functioning and Optimization of a Technology 8.1.1 Model of the Technology 8.1.2 Technological Processes 8.1.3 Optimization of Operative Conditions of a Technology 8.2 Model of Technology Innovation of a Territory 8.2.1 The Mathematical Model of Technology Innovation of a Territory 8.2.2 Example of Calculation with the Model 8.2.3 Discussion on the Model and Its Results References 9 Perspectives and Future of Technology Innovation 9.1 Evolution of the Technology Innovation System 9.1.1 The Distributed Innovation System 9.1.2 The Industrial Platform Network 9.1.3 Advantages and Limits of an Industrial Platform Network 9.2 Future of Technologies 9.2.1 A Scientific Approach to Forecasting 9.2.2 Artificial Intelligence 9.2.3 Synthetic Biology 9.2.4 Nanotechnologies 9.2.5 Quantum Physics Applications 9.3 Intrinsic Dangers of Technology Evolution 9.3.1 The Negative Social Impacts of Technology 9.3.2 The Negative Impact of Communication Technologies References 10 Conclusion Appendix Mathematical Simulation Model of the Technology Innovation System of a Territory A.1 Variables and Parameter Values A.2 Results of Calculation with the Model Index