Technology scouting is an element of
technology management in which
:(1)
emerging technologies
Emerging technologies are technologies whose development, practical applications, or both are still largely unrealized. These technologies are generally new but also include older technologies finding new applications. Emerging technologies a ...
are identified,
:(2) technology related information is channeled into an organization, and
:(3) supports the acquisition of technologies.
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. This matching may also be aided by
technology roadmapping. Technology scouting is also known to be part of
competitive intelligence, which firms apply as a tool of competitive strategy. It can also be regarded as a method of
technology forecasting
Technology forecasting attempts to predict the future characteristics of useful technological machines, procedures or techniques. Researchers create technology forecasts based on past experience and current technological developments. Like other ...
or in the broader context also an element of
corporate foresight.
[Rohrbeck, Rene (2010) ''Corporate Foresight: Towards a Maturity Model for the Future Orientation of a Firm'', Physica-Verlag, Heidelberg and New York, ] Technology scouting may also be applied as an element of an open innovation approach. Technology scouting is seen as an essential element of a modern technology management system.
The technology scout is either an employee of the company or an external consultant who engages in
boundary spanning In social science research and organizational psychology, boundary spanning is a term to describe individuals within an innovation system who have, or adopt, the role of linking the organization's internal networks with external sources of informati ...
processes to tap into novel knowledge and span internal boundaries. 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.
Technology scouts would also often play a vital role in a formalised technology foresight process.
Case studies
Documented case studies include:
See also
*
Foresight (futures studies)
*
Futurology
*
Horizon scanning
*
Scientific lacuna
*
Strategic foresight
*
Corporate Foresight
*
Technology Management
References
Scientific Journals
*
Technological Forecasting and Social Change
*
Futures
Futures may mean:
Finance
*Futures contract, a tradable financial derivatives contract
*Futures exchange, a financial market where futures contracts are traded
* ''Futures'' (magazine), an American finance magazine
Music
* ''Futures'' (album), a ...
*
Futures & Foresight Science
*
Foresight
*
Journal of Futures Studies
{{DEFAULTSORT:Technology scouting
Strategic management
Technological change
Technology forecasting
Technology assessment
fr:Veille technologique