TOWARDS A DEFINITION AND A DYNAMIC MEASURE OF STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY

An original method to define and measure the degree of 'strategic value' of a technological pattern is described. The method consists. above all, in the statement of 16 parameters that contribute to the degree of strategic value, in the way of measuring them, and in the possible variation range. Subsequently, the parameters are combined in couples-according to a logical order-and are synthesized into eight first level sub-indices, and then, continuing the combination of couples, four second level and two third level sub-indices are obtained before reaching a final strategic index. In this way, a 'relevance tree' is obtained. through which, besides the final index, subsequent steps are built up, which together give origin to an organic framework, including all the phenomena that contribute to the degree of the strategic value'. The subsequent calculation is made through the application of an algebraic method. which is illustrated in this article and successfully, applied. This method, applied to six different cases, permits the comparison of different technologies and, consequently, the obtainment of specific information on the degree of strategic value of each technology. The main result of the proposed methodology is to offer the possibility of reaching a complex but broad definition of strategic value and, furthermore, a dynamic measure of its status which is far more useful than the static one given to a,few pre-fixed sectors.