MOT in transition: From technology fusion to technology-service convergence

• The fusion into service is more difficult than expected.
• The Japanese examples are far beyond the current debates.
• The two system evolved differently has to be integrated, in a technology-service convergence.
• A framework is proposed based on the theory of modular structures.
• Porting operator is the most effective in the realization.

In the technical revolutions such as “mechatronics” and “optoelectronics,” the concept of technology fusion, fusion among different kinds of technologies, had been critical in the management of technology. In this type of management, the joint research among different industries was the most important element.In 1990s, however, modularization had progressed drastically and rapidly. To confirm this progression, a qualitative measurement in the Personal Computer and Automobile Industries is presented. When we entered into 2000s, however, the technology-service convergence phenomenon had become conspicuous. In this regards, two illustrative examples are presented from the Japanese experiences. Then, these examples are used to conduct a kind of thought experiment to draw a vision of the future.By reviewing the transition in MOT (Management of Technology), from technology fusion to technology-service convergence via the age of modularity, we reach the conclusion that the essential nature of technology-service convergence is technical evolution, rather than technology revolution. In order to establish a method to view this convergence as an evolutionary process, therefore, we will bring in the argument on the design rule of modular structures.Through the arguments described above, we will come to a conclusion that the “porting” operator is a critical element of this evolution. By applying the porting operator within the modular structures consisting of technology and service modules, we explore how the technology-service fusion may become a reality.