Technological Innovation: Regaining the Competitive Edge

ABSTRACT

Global competition has become a business reality. To become competitive, we must improve the rate at which new technical concepts are incorporated into our products and processes. This article describes the sources and driving forces of innovation and the creative environment that the engineering manager must consider to increase the innovative productivity of the organization. Managers must also recognize the impact that the technical education system has on future innovative productivity and take the initiative to improve it. They must emphasize the importance of systems and process research and support such programs. In addition, idea generation must be considered just as important as analysis to the long-term success of the technological enterprise.