The future of technological evolution will be shaped by the emergence of a new overarching field of knowledge - a “science” of technology.
That is according to Prof Rias van Wyk, Director of Technoscan Centre in Minneapolis USA and a Professor Extraordinaire at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
He recently spoke at an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conference in Cape Town, of which the purpose was to think far ahead and to anticipate major developments that would govern technological development.
According to Van Wyk we will see three developments: A language of technology to provide a new consolidated understanding of all technologies. An atlas of technology, to chart the technological landscape. Finally, a science of technology that organises technological knowledge according to the same rules that govern the other sciences of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and so on.
At present the state of technological knowledge leaves much to be desired. There is a deep dichotomy. Knowledge of individual technologies is brilliant. Knowledge of overall structure is non-existent.
In a recent book
The Nature of Technology author Brian Arthur states the case: -“But we have no agreement on what the word ‘technology’ means, no overall theory of how technologies come into being, no deep understanding of what innovation consists of, and no theory of evolution for technology. Missing is a set of overall principles that would give the subject a logical structure, the sort of structure that would help fill these gaps.”
Arthur concludes: “Missing, in other words, is a theory of technology — an ‘ology” of technology.” The absence of an overall structure in technological knowledge distorts technological progress.
Every day there is a global outburst of new technologies. Managers are besieged by new materials, new ways of handling energy, and new information technologies. Some companies, like Apple turn this flow into gigantic profits. Some, like Kodak, are overwhelmed and file for bankruptcy.
These technologies cover the full spectrum of competencies to handle matter (M), energy (E) and information (I). And while it is common knowledge that technology is the major source of economic growth, the path of progress is extremely erratic.
On the whole most innovations fail. Some break even. Only a few yield positive returns. Poor technological decisions have a large negative impact. Each year trillions of dollars are wasted internationally on bad technological investments. Many failed technology-based investment funds bear testimony to this. In addition unfit technology causes extensive pollution that threatens the life supporting forces of nature.
A crucial factor is skill in managing technology-based innovations. Every year trillions of rands are wasted on poor technological investments. Every year polluting technologies threaten the life-giving forces of nature.
Managers need special skills to map, track and anticipate the flow of new technology.
To rectify the situation will require a new understanding of technology. Not just a stronger push along traditional paths. This will just compound confusion.
On March 14, 2012, USB Executive Development (USB-ED), the executive education arm of the University of Stellenbosch Business School, in collaboration with
Technoscan Centre in the USA presents a one-day know-how seminar, “
Guiding Technology-based Innovation to Grow Your Business”, to boost business success by capturing high-potency industrial technologies. Presented by Van Wyk, it is intended for chief technology officers (CTOs), science and technology policy makers, scientists and engineers, innovation managers and investment professionals.
For more information on this seminar
click here.