Technology Intelligence and Digitalization in the Manufacturing Industry

This study discusses the readiness of established companies in mature industries to revamp and reorganize their technology intelligence processes as they adapt to digitalization. Technology intelligence is a crucial activity for firms that are trying to keep abreast of rapid technological change. Yet technology intelligence is hardly integrated into companies’ strategic decision-making processes—particularly in manufacturing companies. We explore how the case study firms’ existing processes compare to those of the ICT industry. We discuss the challenges manufacturing companies face regarding their technology intelligence activities, especially in adopting digital technologies and leveraging the potential advantages of digitalization. We provide suggestions to practitioners on how to address these challenges—notably more organized and systematized technology intelligence processes than those we observed in our sample of firms.