Technology Dynamics

While science and technology research, sources of funding, performance, incentives, and motivations for technology innovation activities are reasonably well understood by academics and policy makers, the complex process by which scientific results are exploited and transformed into new technologies through an innovation process is poorly documented and studied little. Technology Dynamics is dedicated to the complex activity of technology innovation, with the aim of describing how innovative ideas are generated and their transformation into new technologies. It is based on the idea that technology evolves continuously with time, is changed by innovations, and is characterized by a dynamic that is constituted by technological processes occurring in organizational structures, as well as during the use of technologies. The five chapters - Discuss technological processes for innovation; - Describe innovation within organizational structures; - Offer information on interfacing of science and economic factors with technology; - Suggest new statistical studies for innovation and new approaches for innovation policies; and - Examine the contribution of technology dynamics to statistical studies and promotion of technology innovation. This book is aimed at managers developing strategies for technology innovation, researchers interested in exploiting scientific results for innovative ideas and new technologies, scholars and students studying the economics of innovation. The book would also of interest to private or public financiers of innovation and policy makers involved in economic growth strategy.

Angelo Bonomi obtained a degree of Doctor in Industrial Chemistry of the University of Milan in 1969. In 1970 he joined the Geneva Research Centre of Battelle Memorial Institute for R&D projects and scientific research in electrochemistry. In 1980 he shifted to studies on technology assessments and trends. In 1988 he joined a start-up in France for contract research and generation of start-ups. In 1993 he started an activity as consultant for technological innovation in Italian industrial districts and for urban waste treatments and environmental protection. His major result was Ruvaris, a consortium for cooperation in R&D of about 20 firms producing taps and valves. From 2001 to 2003 he taught technology innovation management at SUPSI (Switzerland). Since 2012 he has collaborated as Senior Research Associate at IRCrES, Research Institute on Sustainable Economic Growth of the National Research Council of Italy, for studies on technology innovation and territorial innovation systems. He is member of the board of the association "La Storia nel Futuro" active in organization of study tours in the Silicon Valley for Italian students. Angelo Bonomi is author of more than 100 publications in scientific research, technology innovation, environmental technologies as well in divulgation and educational fields. These publications are available on his personal site www.complexitec.org.

Chapter 1 Introduction. Chapter 2 Technology. Chapter 3 Organizational Structures. Chapter 4 Applications of Technology Dynamics. Chapter 5 Conclusions. Appendix 1 Mathematical Model of Technology. Appendix 2 Mathematical Simulation of the R&D Process. Appendix 3 Mathematical Simulation of the SVC Cycle.