Technology Mapping in Foresight Studies as a Tool of Technology Management - the Polish Experience

Background. The knowledge of technologies is one of the elements shaping economic growth. At the same time, current technologies are characterised by a growing complexity, and their application life cycle is getting shorter. Observation and analysis of their development stage has become a protection of investments linked with them. It seems to be a logical need for both proper technology management and methodology development in that area to be constituted. Research aims. The aim of the article is to present the problem of technology mapping in the scope of foresight studies as a tool of technology management. The main emphasis has been put on the identification, the subsequent analysis and the evaluation of the activities undertaken in the phase aiming at diagnosis of the current state of technology in the context of foresight studies. Method. Identification of foresight initiatives which undertake operations within the scope of diagnosis of current state of technology has been conducted through observation, document analysis, literature analysis and review. Selection of the best practices among the identified ones has been made through the assessment of the degree to which criteria defined by the author were fulfilled. Key findings. The fundamental result of the analysis conducted in the article is the identification of elements of diagnosis of current state of technology, which can be held as recommendations in the scope of using the methodology of technology mapping. They comprise, among others, preparing technology cards, localising resources linked with the technology, and visualisation of possible relations among technologies.