Technology Roadmapping for Manufacturing

Abstract

Abstract Technology roadmap has emerged as a popular tool for technology development during the last couple of decades. It enables the organization to ask itself questions regarding the gap between the current and future state to identify and assess technology alternatives. The research project’s focus lies on the process behind the creation of technology roadmaps, which is called technology roadmapping. The absolute majority of existing literature overlooks the concept's application to manufacturing development, meaning that there is a need to investigate this topic further. This research project takes into consideration a case organization, which is currently developing and implementing technology roadmapping as a core tool to prepare manufacturing for the future. The empirical material for the research project originates from the case organization, a benchmark study with both internal departments and external companies, and a consultation with an expert within manufacturing development. The results of the research project indicate that the generic technology roadmapping process available in existing literature is, given some customization of critical factors, applicable to manufacturing development. The theoretical implication of the research project is mainly a contribution to existing literature regarding technology roadmap’s application to manufacturing development. The practical implication is that any manufacturing company wishing to introduce technology roadmap in its organization can use the result of this research project as a guide to set up the fundamentals for the technology roadmapping process.