Technology governance
Encyclopedia
Technology governance means the governance
, i.e., the steering
between the different sectors — state, business, and NGO
s — of the development of technology
. The concept is based on the notion of innovation
and of techno-economic paradigm shifts according to the theories of Joseph A. Schumpeter, Christopher Freeman
, Carlota Perez
, etc.
The idea is that certain periods in economic development
are dominated by a paradigm-leading technology that influences through finance
mechanisms, organizational change, greater returns, etc. Also, the economic and social sphere to such an extent that an entire paradigm
is coined by them. Currently, that paradigm-leading technology is Information and Communication Technology (ICT). According to Innovation Theory (and empirical findings as well), states, regions, or other communities do not automatically promote, or even go into, these key technologies, but rather need to be guided there, by active intervention, by the State sector, if it's in close cooperation and coordination with the other two, which is marked by the concept of governance
already. Technology governance, (as a field of scholarly inquiry and academic instruction) is therefore about how this is theoretically and practically done, which institutions are optimal for such a venue, how the education
of administrator
s have to look like if they are going to have the administrative capacity to deal with such matters, etc.
Technology governance is a central focus and is part of the Lisbon Strategy
, the main economic and social development program of the European Union
.
Technology governance is a public policy
concept; it is not to be confused with inner-corporate arrangements of organisation (corporate governance
) and IT arrangements, sometimes called "Information Technology Governance".
Governance
Governance is the act of governing. It relates to decisions that define expectations, grant power, or verify performance. It consists of either a separate process or part of management or leadership processes...
, i.e., the steering
Steering
Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course...
between the different sectors — state, business, and NGO
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
s — of the development of technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
. The concept is based on the notion of innovation
Innovation
Innovation is the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society...
and of techno-economic paradigm shifts according to the theories of Joseph A. Schumpeter, Christopher Freeman
Christopher Freeman
Christopher Freeman was an English economist, the founder and first director of Science and Technology Policy Research at the University of Sussex, and one of the most eminent modern Kondratiev wave and business cycle theorists...
, Carlota Perez
Carlota Perez
Carlota Perez is a Venezuelan scholar and expert on technology and socio-economic development most famous for her concept of Techno-Economic Paradigm Shifts and her theory of great surges, a further development of the Kondratieff waves.-Career:...
, etc.
The idea is that certain periods in economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
are dominated by a paradigm-leading technology that influences through finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
mechanisms, organizational change, greater returns, etc. Also, the economic and social sphere to such an extent that an entire paradigm
Paradigm
The word paradigm has been used in science to describe distinct concepts. It comes from Greek "παράδειγμα" , "pattern, example, sample" from the verb "παραδείκνυμι" , "exhibit, represent, expose" and that from "παρά" , "beside, beyond" + "δείκνυμι" , "to show, to point out".The original Greek...
is coined by them. Currently, that paradigm-leading technology is Information and Communication Technology (ICT). According to Innovation Theory (and empirical findings as well), states, regions, or other communities do not automatically promote, or even go into, these key technologies, but rather need to be guided there, by active intervention, by the State sector, if it's in close cooperation and coordination with the other two, which is marked by the concept of governance
Governance
Governance is the act of governing. It relates to decisions that define expectations, grant power, or verify performance. It consists of either a separate process or part of management or leadership processes...
already. Technology governance, (as a field of scholarly inquiry and academic instruction) is therefore about how this is theoretically and practically done, which institutions are optimal for such a venue, how the education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
of administrator
Academic administration
An academic administration is a branch of university or college employees responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the institution and separate from the faculty or academics, although some personnel may have joint responsibilities...
s have to look like if they are going to have the administrative capacity to deal with such matters, etc.
Technology governance is a central focus and is part of the Lisbon Strategy
Lisbon Strategy
The Lisbon Strategy, also known as the Lisbon Agenda or Lisbon Process, was an action and development plan devised in 2000, for the economy of the European Union between 2000 and 2010....
, the main economic and social development program of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
Technology governance is a public policy
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
concept; it is not to be confused with inner-corporate arrangements of organisation (corporate governance
Corporate governance
Corporate governance is a number of processes, customs, policies, laws, and institutions which have impact on the way a company is controlled...
) and IT arrangements, sometimes called "Information Technology Governance".
External links
- Technology Governance Research Center
- Technology Governance website at Tallinn University of TechnologyTallinn University of TechnologyTallinn University of Technology is the only university of technology in Estonia, and one of the three most important institutions of higher education in Estonia generally. It is located in the capital city of Tallinn, Estonia...