Selection of Emerging Technologies: A Case Study in Technology Strategies of Intelligent Vehicles

Abstract

Emerging technologies (ETs) have become one of the most important battlegrounds of global competition. The complex features of ETs challenge engineering managers to formulate corporate technology strategies, which need to encompass systematic theories and methods. This article clarifies that the core content of ET strategies is technology selection, and analyzes its characteristics based on a literature review. The key factors of policy, technology, and market are investigated to identify their effects on ET selection. Furthermore, we propose a preliminary PTM framework for ET selection through a detailed case study in intelligent vehicles supported by expert interviews and archival research. This study provides strategic suggestions for the managers of different enterprises to select appropriate technology solutions, and contributes to further research on corporate ET strategies.

Keywords:

• Emerging Technologies
• Technology Selection
• Intelligent Vehicles
• Technology Strategies

EMJ Focus Areas:

• Decision Making & Risk Management, Strategic Management, Technology Management

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Fuquan Zhao

Fuquan Zhao, PhD, is a professor of School of Vehicle and Mobility at Tsinghua University, and the Director of Tsinghua Automotive Strategy Research Institute (TASRI). He received his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Hiroshima University, Japan in 1992. He is the leading author of more than 300 academic papers in English, Japanese and Chinese. And he led the development of about 20 vehicle models and 10 powertrain products, with more than 300 granted patents. His research focuses on automotive industry development, corporate operation and management, and technology development roadmaps, etc.

Xu Kuang

Xu Kuang, PhD, is an engineer at Intelligent Research Institute, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. He received his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tsinghua University, China in 2020. He has published nine papers in journals and conferences. His research interests include intelligent vehicles, the Internet of vehicles, and business models.

Han Hao

Han Hao, PhD, is an associate professor of School of Vehicle and Mobility at Tsinghua University. He received his PhD degree in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics from Tsinghua University, China in 2012. He has published a total of 56 papers (SCI/SSCI), which are cited by Google Scholar for 1,373 times, and 3 papers are rated as ESI HCP. His research focuses on the automotive industry research, with special interests in the industry development and planning, life cycle assessment methods, technical strategy methodology, etc.

Zongwei Liu

Zongwei Liu, PhD, is an associate professor of School of Vehicle and Mobility at Tsinghua University, and the Assistant Director of TASRI. He received his PhD degree in Vehicle Engineering from Jilin University, China in 2007. He has published more than 50 papers and 15 granted patents. His main research interests include automotive industry development strategy, technological innovation system and technology roadmap evaluation and decision-making.