Title: Assessing the tools and techniques enterprises use for analysing Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) factors: are they up to the task?

Authors: Craig S. Fleisher

Addresses: Odette School of Business, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue – 508OB, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada

Abstract: This paper assesses the methodological tools and techniques that analysts use to assess the evolving Innovation, Science and Technology-related (IS&T) factors impacting their enterprise|s competitiveness and strategic environment. Studies generally show that a limited set of conceptual tools are regularly utilised by analysts in some enterprises; nevertheless, they are perceived only to demonstrate mixed success levels in meeting planning or decision-oriented needs. A performance gap exists between organisational needs to proactively address IS&T factors impacting their organisation|s competitiveness and the insights actually delivered to decision-makers by existing methods and the analysts who employ them. In this paper, the author defines the scope of IS&T analytical applications, identifies the conceptual tools and techniques used, applies a model for assessing the utility of the tools, describes the reasons why the tools do not deliver what is needed, and makes recommendations for improving the use of IS&T-focused analysis tools.

Keywords: analysis; analysts; competitive science intelligence; technology intelligence; comparative assessment; tools; techniques.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIP.2006.011708

International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, 2006 Vol.2 No.4, pp.380 - 403

Published online: 16 Dec 2006 *

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