Explain technology emergence phase and incremental change phase. Describe framework for analysis of technology emergence.
Answers
Most of the previous models were static in nature (an exception can be made to the S-Curve framework), meaning they considered the factors affecting innovation under a fixed perspective. There were no transitions or dynamicity whatsoever. Abernathy and Utterback tried to break with this standard by creating a model where product innovation, process innovation, competitive environment and organizational structure were all interacting and closely linked together (Abernathy, W.J. and Utterback, J.M. – Patterns of Innovation in Technology, Technology Review 1978). The development of the whole system will pass through three main phases, each of them impacting differently on single companies, on the market and on the capabilities and resources required to develop the innovation.