Oscar Castellanos

El Valor de la Tecnología: Enfoques Novedosos para su Determinación

Traditionally, Technology valuation has been applied with the financial focus of Project management, focusing on the economical dimension. However, several authors have detected problems in this approach and propose the inclusion of qualitative aspects of technology. The aim of this paper is to identify alternative proposals for estimating the value of technology. A scientometric study was carried out and as a result, novel works were identified, like the use of roadmapping, econometrics and neural networks in technology valuation. We conclude that different approaches exist, but, in general, aspects as the knowledge embodied in technology are not taken into account, with a reductionist and linear view of the valuation process and the technology itself. We formulate some considerations on an approach of technology valuation from biology, as an alternative approximation from the organicistic view, in order to add attributes like dynamicity and adaptation.

Exploring the use of biological metaphor upon technology management research within the new paradigm of ongoing change

A new paradigm characterized by ongoing changes at all levels is currently emerging; adaptation is the key here, rather than contingency preparation. Technology Management is not foreign to such trends and thus its assimilation and rapid response ability must become potentialized to ensure its evolution and strengthening with adaptation-orientated tools and trends of thought. This paper deals with the concept of biological metaphor which has been present in Organizational Management for many decades; it is analyzed as a Technology Management development option, taking into account its high level of interaction with other disciplines. The results show that this impact is relevant, going beyond academic and theoretical fields since its application is seen in real contexts, especially regarding Manufacturing Management. This paper concludes that industrialized countries have made important advances in learning and using biological concepts in Technology Management; however, emerging economies (such as those in Latin-American countries) have also established an appropriate framework regarding topics such as complexity, evolutionary theory and intelligence for analyzing and implementing Technology Management and adopting technological strategies according to their own particular settings.

Innovation beyond technology: perspectives from Latin America

The purpose of this paper is to present eight papers selected from ALTEC 2015 that provide an overview of innovation in Latin America.,This editorial seeks to define innovation by examining its conceptual foundations. It considers innovation beyond firms and technology to address other forms, such as social and institutional innovations. Thereafter, it discusses innovation in the context of Latin America and suggests means by which to stimulate it in the region. Finally, the authors present the eight papers included in this “special edition.”,The major findings of the paper are that it considers non-technological innovation within firms, innovation beyond the firm and innovation beyond technology. Moreover, it helps to better understand a core issue of innovation in Latin America, which is the focus on macroeconomic policy instead of microeconomic stimuli.,A broader understanding of the concept of innovation is of notable importance. Innovation implies the recognition of issues related to the market (firm), but also to the community (society) and to humanly devised constraints (institutions). Technology is only one part of it. For this special issue, the selected articles highlight the efforts made by different authors to contribute to innovation studies in the editors’ region.,Este numero presenta ocho manuscritos seleccionados del ALTEC 2015, que ofrecen un panorama de la innovacion en America Latina.,Esta editorial busca definir la innovacion mediante la examinacion de sus fundamentos conceptuales. Esto considera que la innovacion va mas alla de las firmas y la tecnologia para abordar otros tipos, tales como innovacion social e institucional. Posteriormente, se analiza la innovacion en el contexto de America Latina y se sugieren medios para su estimulo en la region. Finalmente, presentamos los ocho articulos incluidos en esta Edicion Especial.,Las principales conclusiones de esta editorial son que se considera la innovacion no tecnologica dentro de las firmas, la innovacion mas alla de la firma y la innovacion mas alla de la tecnologia. Ademas, esto ayuda a comprehender mejor una cuestion central de la innovacion en America Latina, que es el enfoque en politica macroeconomica en lugar de los estimulos microeconomicos.,Un mayor entendimiento del concepto de innovacion es de gran importancia. La innovacion implica el reconocimiento de las cuestiones relacionadas con el mercado (firma), pero tambien con la comunidad (sociedad) y con las restricciones humanamente concebidas (instituciones). La tecnologia es solo una parte de esta. Para esta Edicion Especial, los articulos seleccionados destacan los esfuerzos realizados por diferentes autores para contribuir a los estudios de innovacion en nuestra region.