TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

Generally, the advancement of technology occurs in three stages:

1.
Invention

Innovation Diffusion

Invention.
Invention: The creative act whereby an idea is conceived and recorded

Leornardo Da Vinci

Innovation
Innovation: The process by which an invention or idea is brought into successful practice and is utilized by the economy

Henry Ford

Diffusion
Diffusion: The successive and widespread implementation and adoption of successful innovations

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
Developing an idea into a product that people will buy requires hard work and skill at identifying market needs Example: Barcode and Barcode Scanner The digital imaging example illustrates how a basic technological development created for one purpose can have greater potential in another product area Its said that the innovation period from invention to widespread market acceptance was about thirty-five years

Characteristics of Innovative People

Studies of the innovation process have identified five behavioral types of people who are needed in a product team committed to technological innovation: 1.Idea generator: The creative individual

2.Entrepreneur: The person who carries the ball and takes the risks

3.Gatekeepers: People who provide technical communication from outside to inside the product development organization

4.Program manager: The person who manages without inhibiting creativity

5.Sponsor: The person who provides financial and moral support, often senior management or a venture capital company

Characteristic of Inventor
Familiar with current technology Have well-developed contacts with technical people outside the organizational Receive information directly and then diffuse it to other technical employees "do things differently'' as contrasted on ''doing things better" Early adopters of new ideas Can deal with unclear situation without feeling uncomfortable Have a high degree of self-reliance and self-esteem