Anticipation of Technology as an Entrepreneurial Skill

Abstract

Anticipation of technological change is crucial for startup companies and entrepreneurs to survive and grow in the volatile environment. The concepts, processes and tools have mainly been developed in and for larger corporations with ample resources that can run the often lengthy and slow processes of technology anticipation (TA). The dilemma facing TA in entrepreneurial startup companies is that they need to build and commercialize their first technology and prepare simultaneously to its disruption – to anticipate. This paper studies the rationale of TA and the different TA approaches utilized in technology-based young and evolving companies and proposes a framework – a taxonomy of TA approaches in entrepreneurial context for further study.