Innovation and Commercialization of Emerging Technologies

摘要

This report examines the processes of innovation and commercialization with aneye toward developing a more complete understanding of the multiple pathways linking new science and technology to new products, processes, and services. In doing so, it highlights the difficulties firms face in financing new technology ventures, settling on product architectures or standards, scaling up for manufacturing, and creating markets for innovations. Finally, the report traces government's influence-both direct and indirect-on innovation and commercialization of emerging technologies. While stopping short of delineating specific policy options for improving U.S. efforts in these areas, the discussion illustrates that federal policies regarding R&D funding, environmental and other regulations, intellectual property, taxation, and procurement have a significant cumulative effect on the success of the U.S. firms in the global marketplace. They help create the environment in which firms attempt to commercialize new technologies and form an integral part of the innovation systems that develop in different industries.