Technology Innovation: Models, Dynamics, and Processes

165 Pages·2023·1.991 MB·English

by  Angelo Bonomi

Technology Innovation
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 physi-
cal, 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 opera-
tions, 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, chemi-
cal 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 technol-
ogy 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 devel-
opers who are involved in operations management and research, innovation
and technology development.

Technology Innovation
Models, Dynamics, and
Processes
Angelo Bonomi
First edition published 2023
by CRC Press
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and by CRC Press
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CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
© 2023 Angelo Bonomi
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ISBN: 978-1-032-37064-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-37075-0 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-33518-4 (ebk)
DOI: 10.1201/9781003335184
Typeset in Times
by codeMantra
Contents
List of figures xi
List of tables xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xix
Author Biography xxi
List of Abbreviations xxiii
1 Introduction 1
References 2
2 The Nature and Definition of Technology 3
2.1 Brief History of Technology and Its Innovation 3
2.2 Philosophic Thought about Technology 4
2.2.1 Martin Heidegger Thought about
Technology and Its Dangers 7
2.2.2 Hans-Georg Gadamer’s Thought about
Technology and Its Dangers 9
2.3 The Various Definitions of Technology and Its Innovation 9
References 11
3 A Scientific Definition of Technology 13
3.1 Importance of Technologies without Economic Purposes 14
3.2 Limits of Studies of Technology from Only an Economic
Point of View 15
3.3 The Study of Technology from a Scientific Point of View 16
References 18
4 Scientific Models of Technology and Its Innovation 19
4.1 Elaboration of a Scientific Model of
Technology Innovation 19
4.2 The Model of Technology 20
4.2.1 Technological Space 22
4.2.2 Technological Landscape 22
v
vi Contents
4.2.3 Space of Technologies 23
4.2.4 Technology Ecosystem 23
4.3 Technological Processes 25
4.3.1 Externality Effect 25
4.3.2 Intranality Effect 25
4.3.3 Ramification of Technologies 26
4.4 Technology Transfer and Knowhow 26
4.5 Models of the Organizational Structures for
Technology Innovation 27
4.5.1 The Industrial R&D System 27
4.5.2 The Startup-Venture Capital System 28
4.5.3 The Industrial Platform System 30
4.5.4 Comparison among the Various
Organizational Structures 30
4.6 The Stages of Technology Innovation 32
4.6.1 Generation of Innovative Idea for the
Technological Innovation Process 32
4.6.2 Development and Formation of a
New Technology 34
4.6.3 Generation of Innovations during the Use of a
Technology 34
4.7 A General Model of Technology Innovation 34
References 37
5 Innovation and Technology Innovation 39
5.1 General Definition of Innovation 39
5.2 The Various Types of Organizational Innovations 40
5.2.1 Agile Innovation 40
5.2.2 Digital Innovation 40
5.2.3 Dual Innovation 40
5.2.4 Environmental Innovation 41
5.2.5 Frugal Innovation 41
5.2.6 Minor (Incremental) Innovation 41
5.2.7 Open Innovation 42
5.2.8 Participatory Innovation 42
5.2.9 Radical (Disruptive) Innovation 42
5.2.10 Responsible Innovation 43
5.2.11 Reverse Innovation 43
5.2.12 Strategic Innovation 43
5.3 Considerations about Innovation 43
References 44
Contents vii
6 The Complexity of Technology 45
6.1 Complexity of Technology 45
6.2 Definition of the Various Types of Systems 46
6.2.1 Simple Systems 46
6.2.2 Complicated Systems 46
6.2.3 Complex Systems 47
6.3 Complexity Concepts and Phenomena 47
6.3.1 Emergence 47
6.3.2 Adaptation 48
6.3.3 Evolvability 48
6.3.4 Robustness 48
6.3.5 Coevolution 48
6.3.6 Learning 49
6.3.7 Self-Organization 49
6.3.8 Networking 49
6.3.9 Feedback Loop 51
6.4 Types of Complex Systems 51
6.4.1 Chaotic System 51
6.4.2 Auto-Organized Critical System 52
6.4.3 Complex Adaptive System 52
6.4.4 Network System 53
6.5 Processes in the Complex Systems 53
6.5.1 Phase Transition and Autocatalysis 53
6.5.2 Cycles 55
6.6 Models of Complex Systems 55
6.6.1 Small World Network Model 56
6.6.2 NK Model 56
6.6.3 Fitness Landscape 57
6.6.4 Complex Adaptive System Models 58
6.7 Science of Complexity and Technology Innovation 59
6.7.1 Generation of Innovative Ideas 60
6.7.2 Development of the Technology 60
6.7.3 Use of the Technology 61
6.7.4 Feedback Loops in Technology Innovations 63
6.8 Importance of Complexity of Technology 64
References 65
7 Technology and the Environment 67
7.1 Physical Limits and Development Times of
Environmental Technologies 68
7.2 The Precautional Principle and the Question of Risk 69
viii Contents
7.3 Technology and the Environmental Problems 71
7.3.1 Pollution 71
7.3.2 Depletion of Resources 72
7.3.3 Global Warming 73
7.4 Industrial Environmental Models 74
7.4.1 Natural Capitalism 75
7.4.2 Circular Economy 78
7.4.3 Comparison of the Two Industrial
Environmental Approaches 80
7.5 Technology and the Problem of Global Warming 82
7.6 Technology Innovation and Green Technologies 84
7.6.1 Green Technologies for Environmental Problems 85
7.6.2 Green Technologies and the Organizational
Structures for Innovation 85
References 87
8 Applications of the Models 89
8.1 Functioning and Optimization of a Technology 89
8.1.1 Model of the Technology 89
8.1.2 Technological Processes 90
8.1.3 Optimization of Operative Conditions
of a Technology 91
8.2 Model of Technology Innovation of a Territory 94
8.2.1 The Mathematical Model of Technology
Innovation of a Territory 97
8.2.2 Example of Calculation with the Model 100
8.2.3 Discussion on the Model and Its Results 101
References 103
9 Perspectives and Future of Technology Innovation 105
9.1 Evolution of the Technology Innovation System 105
9.1.1 The Distributed Innovation System 106
9.1.2 The Industrial Platform Network 107
9.1.3 Advantages and Limits of an Industrial
Platform Network 110
9.2 Future of Technologies 111
9.2.1 A Scientific Approach to Forecasting 112
9.2.2 Artificial Intelligence 113
9.2.3 Synthetic Biology 115
9.2.4 Nanotechnologies 116
9.2.5 Quantum Physics Applications 117
Contents ix
9.3 Intrinsic Dangers of Technology Evolution 120
9.3.1 T he Negative Social Impacts of Technology 121
9.3.2 The Negative Impact of Communication
Technologies 122
References 123
10 Conclusion 125
Appendix 127
Mathematical Simulation Model of the
Technology Innovation System of a Territory 127
A.1 Variables and Parameter Values 132
A.2 Results of Calculation with the Model 134
Index 137