The choice of technology intelligence methods in multinationals: towards a contingenecy approach

1. The choice of technology intelligence methods in multinationals: towards a contingenecy approach 授課老師：張菽萱 教授 研 究 生：王慧珍 學 號：94312035

2. Abstract • The effectiveness of technology management is fundamentally influenced by the quality of a firm’s technology intelligence process . • Although there is a vast literature on different technology intelligence methods, there is a lack of research on the factors influencing the choice of appropriate technology intelligence methods in a specific situation.

3. Major contingency factors of the selection of technology intelligence methods in multinationals are identified and integrated into a contingency-based framework for the use of technology intelligence methods,

4. Introduction • According, technology intelligence, i.e. the acquisition and assessment of information on technological trends, is one of the core processes of technology management. • This paper presents future results of a study of technology intelligence processes in technology-intensive multinationals. • This paper is aimed at deriving insights into the choice of technology intelligence methods by multinationals.

5. Past research • The goal of technology intelligence is to exploit potential opportunities and to defend the firm against potential threats by a prompt delivery of relevant information about technological trends in the environment of the company. • According to this definition, technology intelligence includes the observation and analysis of individual competitors as well as universities and start-up companies.

6. The basic process steps of the technology intelligence process are the determination of information needs, information acquisition, information analysis and information communication. • Prior research results suggest that technology intelligence should be supported by appropriate assessment methods, which can not only be used to assess gathered information but which may also be applied to determine fields of technology which have to be monitored.

8. Methods and assessment forms used

10. Function of the assessment

11. The heterogeneity in the organisational frame of reference • The larger the heterogeneity in the organisational frame of reference the more face-to –face group assessments area used to build consensus. • In personal interaction, the existing frames of reference are made explicit and a new shared frame of reference is built by converging the existing frames.

12. Uncertainty of the assessment situation • The most common method used in these situations is scenario analysis, which forces its user to think in alternatives

15. Corporate decision-making style and corporate culture • The corporate culture has considerable influence on the general attitude towards methods. • The decision-making style of a company has an influence on how centralised or decentralised decisions are taken. • More important than the accuracy of the methods is that they are understood by participants and can be used for group discussions

16. Time, personnel and financial restrictions • Patent citation analyses were judged by them as too expensive. • As a consequence, the amount of time that they can and should spend on analyses is restricted. • Decisions are mainly based on the judgement of internal experts. • The majority of companies also prefer to frequently converge recent information to a new picture of the future than to perform one highly precise forecast.

17. Perceived importance of the assessment • Methods that are costly and not well known are only used for the most important strategic questions. • This way (publication citation analyses) important technology areas as well as the competencies of the competition can be analysed.