Centre for Technology Management

Strategic technology management

Overview

Investing in the right technologies over the lifecycle of products and businesses places great demands on management and decision processes. Our research in this area aims to help managers with insights into technology planning, understanding technology trends and breakthroughs, sourcing technologies and assessing their value to the business. Practical relevance emphasised through a focus on management processes and tools, underpinned by well-founded conceptual frameworks.

Past PhD research in strategic technology management

• Towards Flexible Management for the Fuzzy Front-End of Innovation
  The early phases of the innovation process, also known as the fuzzy front-end, have been a challenge for every business that intends to compete through product innovation. Several studies have explored the front-end, with progress regarding description of its features, activities, barriers, best practices, tools, methods, etc. Nevertheless, companies still face problems in managing it effectively. (Maicon Oliveira, visiting Doctoral student)
• The Technology Management Compass
  This work deals with the role of senior technology and innovation executives in planning for, and reacting to, discontinuities. The ongoing interest in this research hinges on the application of a framework called the "Technology Management Compass" which supports practitioner decision-making when planning or reacting to discontinuities (called "Technology Transition Points" in the research). (Dr Chris van der Hoven)
• Developing a framework for depicting the radical innovation process in established firms
  A framework has been developed which defines and depicts the radical innovation process throughout the lifecycle from early concept to maturity, considering technology, market, management, business, partnering and finance aspects. (Dr Lan Tao)
• Commercialisation of advanced material innovations
  Commercialisation of new technologies from university origins, specifically advanced material innovations. (Dr Sarah Lubik)