Emerging and Breakthrough Technologies

The course focuses on innovation processes in a high-tech environment. Firstly, innovation processes are studied on the micro-level, distinguishing different groups of project approaches to innovation. Secondly, the course will discuss the development and diffusion of breakthrough technologies on the macro-level. The pattern, of the development and diffusion of such technologies, the actors and factors that explain the evolution of the pattern, and strategies that companies can adopt during the pattern are discussed. Thirdly, the course will discuss how technologies in different patterns can affect each other and interact. This may refer to disciplines (defined as combination of related technologies) to competing or to complementary technologies. The three levels of analysis (project, pattern, multi-technology) together form a comprehensive perspective on innovation processes.