Identifying, Nurturing and Monitoring Core Technologies

Abstract

Having already defined high technology and the commercialization cycle, we must finally define “technology” and technology transfer. We then move to the criteria for choosing and identifying core technologies. (Chapter 1 established the justification for distinguishing core technologies). One criterion is the ability to master the core technology fast enough to reduce prices in a way that maintains profitability while discouraging competitive entries. Experience curves are an important consideration in timing price reductions; this chapter deals with experience curves and their computation. Again, the requisite mathematics are given in an appendix.

“Stimulate progress but preserve the core.”

Collins and Porras, Built to Last