Title: Roadmapping as a mitigator of uncertainty in strategic technology choice

Authors: Irene J. Petrick, Michael Provance

Addresses: Penn State University, 321F IST Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ' R.H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, USA

Abstract: Strategic technology choice involves the selection of one technology solution over another under conditions of uncertainty. The information needed to develop scenarios and assess their corporate-wide impact resides at multiple levels within the organisation, and includes both explicit and tacit knowledge. Roadmapping offers a framework to structure diverse information, simultaneously capturing explicit data and the tacit knowledge provided by the context in which the data exists. This enhances both operational and strategic technology decision-making. Corporate-wide support for and participation in roadmapping efforts determines its sustainability. Specifically, decentralised roadmapping control, combined with centralised policies supporting resource allocation decisions based on roadmapping information positively influences technology decision-making effectiveness.

Keywords: roadmapping; tacit knowledge; technology choice; strategic decision making; innovation; technology selection; resource allocation; technology strategy; uncertainty.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIP.2005.006513

International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, 2005 Vol.1 No.2, pp.171 - 184

Published online: 18 Mar 2005 *

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