Technology Fusion - A Path to Innovation [antikvár]

This report was undertaken within the framework of the activities of the Committee for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP), which seeks to analyse the development of generic technologies and the technical changes occuring in these areas. It alsó seeks to assess the contribution of technology integration to the creation and maturation of innovations and to identify areas for policy actions. The report draws on several findings illustrated by the case study on optoelectronics: a) New products and processes do not originate in markets only, but alsó depend on the inherent limitations of the supply of technology. This means that a selection exists based on purely technical criteria. b) Technology fusion has become a more frequent source of innovation within fjpns. Competition between different techniques results in a greater diversity of hardware and software products rather than a substitution of one product for another. c) Flexible production technologies have significantly helped to bring about economies of scope. One consequence of this is the emergence of new types of work organisation as well as a corresponding weakening of economies of scale. d) Diversifying technologies is nevertheless a costly operation for a firm. Intercorporation partnerships have developped to help alleviate these burdensome costs. Work sharing and the externalisation of various production groups or of other corporate activities, previously a feature of specific industries (aerospace, construction) have now become commonplace in the manufacturing sector when there is production factor shortage, whether "natural" (skilled manpower) or technical (e.g. frequencies). e) Uncertain markét prospects and product life duration have favoured a certain decompartmentalisation of generic markets (professional, semi-professional, military, consumer). Diffusion between these markets has increased. f) Govenunents have been increasingly committed to reducing input markét rigidities and to adjusting regulations to the technological "new deal". This report was reviewed by the CSTP at its October 1991 meeting. The Committee stressed the rplevance of a an approach to technological change that is both technical and economic. It recognised the need for governments to encourage the development of precompetitive technologies and to enhance their diffusion. The CSTP alsó outlined the conditions for the success of government actíon, particularly the necessity of preserving competition among innovations, of avoiding administrative micromanagement of projects supported by public bodies and of adapting training to needs. 3