Technology Scouting is an element that can bring much value within the Open Innovation strategy. Identify future trends and technologies outside a company can help it find new partners. Also, it will bring inputs to current projects and help to develop new products and services.
In addition, Technology Scouting, within collaborative projects, can open the way to a new disruptive technology. Moreover, it allows organizations to optimize resources and get access to new technology and in a more reliable way.
I have found these two presentations, from Unilever by Roger Leech and Volvo talking about the applications and advantages of Technology Scounting within Open Innovation programs.
Technology scouting at Unilever
For Unilever, a scouting success can be measured by the development of new products, processes or strategies.
Unilever Open Innovation Technology Scouting
Technology scouting at Volvo
Likewise, the Open Innovation strategy of Volvo IT is based on two pillars: the Tech Watch, focusing on scouting and evaluating the feasibility and business value of new technology, and Business innovation, working with customers, to prototyping. The main goal is to align next generation of IT solutions with corporate vision and strategic objectives, according to the presentation below.
I also found interesting this presentation by Sagentia and I have linked it.
