Voestalpine anarbeitung: Commercialization framework for technology development projects

Abstract

voestalpine Anarbeitung GmbH developed a framework for commercializing technology development (TD) projects in the automotive supply industry, which demonstrates how a commercialization process can be structured and which tools and methods should be applied in the particular process steps to turn technological ideas and inventions into effective action. Qualitative exploratory research as well as a quantitative study revealed successful process structures and appropriate management tools for activities of commercializing TD. The established framework integrates specific commercialization activities into every stage of the TD process and includes a manageable number of phase-specific practicable management tools that assist in increasing the effectiveness of technology development. Furthermore, the implementation of the framework enhances the efficiency of the TD activities due to the strategy-orientated and systematic procedure, resulting in reduced time to market and a higher return on TD activities. A project-specific validation showed that the model complements the existing TD process with a valuable market-pull perspective.