The Fishbone diagram to identify, systematize and analyze the sources of general purpose technologies

Abstract. This study suggests the fishbone diagram for technological analysis. Fishbone diagram (also called Ishikawa diagrams or cause-and-effect diagrams) is a graphical technique to show the several causes of a specific event or phenomenon. In particular, a fishbone diagram (the shape is similar to a fish skeleton) is a common tool used for a cause and effect analysis to identify a complex interplay of causes for a specific problem or event. The fishbone diagram can be a comprehensive theoretical framework to represent and analyze the sources of innovation. Fishbone diagram is applied here as a novel graphical representation to identify, explore and analyse whenever possible, the potential root causes of the source and evolution of General Purpose Technologies (GPTs). Overall, then, fishbone diagram seems to be an appropriate and general technique of graphical representation to explore and categorize, clearly and simply, the potential root causes of the evolution of technological innovations for an appropriate management of technology.Keywords. Fishbone diagram, General purpose technology, Source of technical change, Management of technology, Technology evolution, Evolution of technology.JEL. B40, O31, O33

Measurement and assessment of the evolution of technology with a simple biological model

Abstract. A simple model of the development of technology is presented. This model, in a broad analogy with evolutionary ecology of parasites, within a theoretical framework of Generalized Darwinism, can explain vital characteristics of technological advances and technological evolution. In particular, the evolution of technology is modelled here in terms of morphological changes between a host technology and a main subsystem of technology. The coefficient of evolutionary growth of this simple model here indicates the grade and type of the evolution of technology. This coefficient is quantified in real cases study using historical data of farm tractor, freight locomotive and electricity generation technology in steam-powered plants and internal-combustion plants. The approach of measurement and assessment of technological evolution proposed here seems to be appropriate in grasping the dynamics of technological evolution to predict which technologies are likeliest to evolve rapidly.Keywords. Measurement of technology, Technometrics, Technological evolution, Technological change, Technological forecasting, Technology assessment, Technological progress, Innovation, Technology studies, Public decision making.JEL. O30, O31, O32, O33, O38

Technological Parasitism

Abstract. Technological parasitism is a new theory to explain the evolution of technology in society. In this context, this study proposes a model to analyze the interaction between a host technology (system) and a parasitic technology (subsystem) to explain evolutionary pathways of technologies as complex systems. The coefficient of evolutionary growth of the model here indicates the typology of evolution of parasitic technology in relation to host technology: i.e., underdevelopment, growth and development. This approach is illustrated with realistic examples using empirical data of product and process technologies. Overall, then, the theory of technological parasitism can be useful for bringing a new perspective to explain and generalize the evolution of technology and predict which innovations are likely to evolve rapidly in society.Keywords. Measurement of technology, Technometrics, Technological evolution, Technological change, Coevolution, Nature of technology, Host technology, Parasitic technology, Technological parasitism, Technological innovation, Technological forecasting, Technology assessment, Technological progress.JEL. O32, O33