Towards some theory of technology orphaning: A retrospective exploratory study

Abstract

This is a theoretical and quasi-empirical study of a generally obscure phenomenon called technology orphaning. Whilst much has been written on technology and innovation and their adoption and diffusion, scarcely any attention has been paid to technology orphans, which when permanently lost, is a loss to firms, countries and humanity in general. A number of propositions are derived and discussed. Careful management of technology can reduce the number of orphan technologies, which are technologies not available commercially or not commercialized at all, for a variety of reasons. The limitations of the work are discussed, and suggestions made for future work.