Technology Management

A framework for supporting the management of technological innovation
R Phaal, CJP Farrukh and DR Probert
Engineering Department, University of Cambridge
Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK

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A framework for supporting the management of technological innovation
R Phaal, CJP Farrukh and DR Probert
Engineering Department, University of Cambridge
Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK

Abstract
Technology is a key driver for innovation and sustainable business growth. However, the management of technology presents ongoing challenges to firms, owing to the increasing cost and complexity of technology, against a background of global competition, accelerating industrial change, competing technical standards, and reducing product development cycle times. Whilst industrial interest in the area is growing, from an academic perspective the conceptual basis of the subject of technology management is fragmented and poorly defined.
A framework has been developed to support practical and theoretical understanding of the management of technological innovation. At the heart of the framework are two sets of business processes that are important for effective technology management, including the three 'core ' processes of strategy, innovation and operations, together with a set of five supporting technology management processes: identification, selection, acquisition, exploitation and protection. The framework supports the integration of these processes by focusing on the 'pull ' and 'push ' knowledge flows that need to occur between the commercial and technological functions within the firm.
This paper describes the framework and its application, outlining the general requirements and characteristics of such a framework. The development of the framework is discussed, based on concepts from systems, resource-based and other theoretical perspectives. The relationships between the core business and technology management processes are explored,
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