Title: How to transfer discontinuous technology into radical innovation: some evidence from three nanotech cases

Authors: Gaston Trauffler, Cornelius Herstatt, Hugo Tschirky

Addresses: Centre for Enterprise Science, ETH Zurich, Zurichbergstrasse 18, CH-8028 Zurich, Switzerland. ' Technology and Innovation Management, TU Hamburg, Schwarzbergstrasse 95, D-21073 Hamburg, Germany. ' Centre for Enterprise Science, ETH Zurich, Zurichbergstrasse 18, CH-8028 Zurich, Switzerland

Abstract: In this paper the focus is on the strategy formulation processes, specifically supportive methods and structures, which address various managerial issues concerning discontinuous technologies and radical innovation in the early phase of strategic decision-making. In three in-depth case studies how companies proceeded with discontinuous technology and radical innovation ideas in strategy formulation was investigated ex-post. Based on literature and the analysis from the cases nine propositions are suggested for the design of an idealised strategy formulation process model for the simultaneous and differentiated strategic management of radical innovation and incremental innovation. The propositions are transformed into a visualised process model showing the interaction and arrangement of the latter.

Keywords: discontinuous technology; radical innovation; strategic planning; technology transfer; nanotechnology; strategy formulation; strategic management; incremental innovation; technology planning; technological change; strategic technology management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIP.2005.008588

International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, 2005 Vol.1 No.4, pp.357 - 378

Published online: 04 Jan 2006 *

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