Conceptual definition of technology emergence: A long journey from philosophy of science to science policy

• Published in: Technology in society Vol. 59; p. 101126
• Main Authors: Burmaoglu, Serhat, Sartenaer, Olivier, Porter, Alan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Concept; Continuity (mathematics); Economic development; Emergence; Emerging technology; Innovation policy; Philosophy of science; Review; Science and technology; Science policy; Technological change; Technological emergence; Technology; Technology policy; Concept; Emerging technology; Review; Technological emergence; Emergence
• ISSN: 0160-791X; 1879-3274
• DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.04.002

Technology and innovation policy has been the core of economic development since the 1950s. Moreover, the increasing rate of technological developments allowed policy and strategy makers to think about technology emergence for proactive planning. In this sense, technological emergence became popular with different applications and foresight studies. However, even though it is a popular concept in the literature, an accepted formal definition is lacking. In this study, we propose a definition based on review as; “Technological emergence is a cyclic process in highly creative scientific networks that demonstrates qualitative novelty, qualitative synergy, trend irregularity, high functionality, and continuity aspects in a specified time frame”. We discuss and explain the definition by demonstrating it in a multi-dimensional model to make it understandable and applicable for future studies. Finally, we discuss it with existing literature and propose future implications. •Technology emergence has been subject to studies since Schumpeter put technology at the center of economic development.•Many studies aimed to conceptualize and model emerging technologies but most of them lacked its definition.•Technology emergence is a cyclic process in highly creative scientific networks.•Technology emergence demonstrates qualitative novelty, synergy, trend irregularity, high functionality, and continuity.