Wharton HomeContact the Wharton SchoolMaps and Directions

 

 

Conference Reports &
Research Publications
Available from the Mack Center

 

The Mack Center produces research reports on topics of interest and concern to our industry partners, including printed conference reports that summarize presentations and insights from our major industry partner events.   The following printed conference reports are available to our industry partners:

 

The Future of BioSciences: Four Scenarios for 2020 and Their Implications for Human Healthcare

This 130 page research report, edited by Profs. Paul J. H. Schoemaker and Michael Tomczyk, describes the factors expected to impact commercialization of emerging bioscience technologies from now until 2020.  It includes four scenarios based on technology success/failure and public acceptance/rejection of these technologies, and the consequences for various stakeholder groups.  These "meta-scenarios" provide an excellent basis for developing micro-scenarios for specific firms and industries.  The Future of BioSciences project is an ongoing long-term project of the Mack Center, in collaboration with Decision Strategies International.  Copies can be purchased from DSI at: http://www.thinkdsi.com/biosciences.  (2006)

Innovation and Organic Growth: Balancing Risk and Reward 

To innovate is to take risks.  The rewards are gained by seeing and seizing potential opportunities ahead of rivals, while protecting against undesirable outcomes.  Success requires strategic, organizational and financial acumen and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.  This report examines the latest thinking on these challenges, including how best practice firms balance risk and reward in their portfolio of growth initiatives - from strategic, organizational and venture capital perspectives.  From an insight-building event organized by Profs. George Day and Paul Schoemaker. (2006)

Creating and Managing Networks of Innovation 

Rapid economic change and resource scarcity has motivated decision makers to seek creative ways to access resources of other organizations, to create and sustain value.  One of these strategies involves creating or accessing networks of innovation that enable firms to draw on resources far beyond their immediate boundaries.  Examples of these networks range from global business ecosystems in the automotive and software industries, to outsourcing and offshoring of business processes in India and other countries, to open source software communities..  This event was organized by Profs. Harbir Singh and Lori Rosenkopf. (2006)

Using Technology to Improve Decision-Making:
Pitfalls and Prospects

Emerging technologies are not only transforming the way we do business, but are also influencing and aiding the way we make decisions.  In an era of unprecedented globalization and rapidly changing business models, new approaches are needed to compete, survive and succeed in technology driven industries.  Many of these changes are requiring organizations to adopt new decision frameworks and strategies.  This research report summarizes presentations from a Wharton Impact Conference sponsored by the Mack Center; designed and hosted by Profs. George Day and Paul J.H. Schoemaker. (2005).  

Globalization and Emerging Technologies

Advances in information and communication technologies have greatly contributed to cultural, economic and political globalization over the past few decades.  Globalization in turn has helped spawn numerous new technologies from far corners of the earth, aided by global alliances in the private and public sectors.  This report summarizes insights from a Wharton Impact Conference exploring the complex interplay between globalization and new technology development, from the perspective of senior management.  This event was organized by Profs. Harbir Singh and Paul Schoemaker. (2005)

Investing in Emerging Technologies: Strategies for Making Technology Investments Under Conditions of High Risk and Uncertainty

The landscape for technology investment has changed in many industries:  life sciences, pharmaceuticals, information technology, financial services, transportation, entertainment, telecom, consumer products...to name a few.  Firms, government agencies and venture capitalists are using a variety of innovative strategies and frameworks to address the uncertainties presented by today's increasingly challenging investment environment.  This report presents insights by Wharton faculty and "better practice" firms such as DuPont, Eli Lilly, Reliance Industries (India) and the World Bank.  Included is a discussion of "real options" strategy.  From a conference organized by Profs. Harbir Singh and George Day.

Creating Competitive Capabilities
in Knowledge Intensive Environments

Organizations in all industries need to constantly improve their ability to leverage knowledge for competitive advantage, especially in the current economic environment.  As Internet use and global communications become ubiquitous and IT capabilities increase by orders of magnitude, competition has become more complex and challenging for senior decision makers in "knowledge-intensive" industries.  This report offers insights from our ongoing research at the Mack center as well as lessons from firms such as Charles Schwab, Infosys and Unisys. (2003)

Managing Knowledge Assets: Changing Rules
and Emerging Strategies for Intellectual Property

Knowledge may be the most important source of competitive advantage for a firm, but capturing the potential gains is a continuing challenge.  The patent system is under enormous strain.  Firms are filing patents are an unprecedented rate.  Emerging technologies and business processes that were previously unpatentable are now protected.  Development cycles are accelerating, lead times shrinking.  Administrative and legal burdens are increasing.  These changes are creating a new and unfamiliar context for the management of intellectual property...forcing many firms to rethink their strategies for realizing the rewards of innovation.  The report summarizes presentations at a 2002 conference organized by Wharton Professor Sid Winter.  Many of the leading edge insights presented at this event have been manifested as intellectual property issues have become increasingly important in the years since this ground-breaking event was hosted by the Mack Center.

 

The Mack Center for Technological Innovation is one of 23 research centers of the Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania.  Our offices are located in Room 1050 Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall, 3620 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6371.
Tel: 215-573-7722 - Email: mackcenter@wharton.upenn.edu

Copyright (c) 2006 by the Mack Center for Technological Innovation.  All rights reserved.

 


 


Technology Enabled
Business Transformation

Friday - Nov. 2 - 2007

Our Fall industry partner event will focus on technology-enabled transformation of businesses and industries with a focus on how these changes have impacted market leading firms in many industries, from IBM and Microsoft to Citigroup and DuPont.   Organized by Prof. Harbir Singh, Co-Director of the Mack Center and Chair of the Management Department; and Wharton Prof. Nicolaj Siggelkow.

10th Annual Emerging Technologies Update Day: "The Future of Connectivity"
Friday - Feb. 1 - 2008

The ET Update Day is our most popular annual event, where we invite technology experts to provide an update on radical innovations that have the potential to transform industries, markets and strategies.  This year's theme will be: "The Future of Connectivity."  Michael Tomczyk, Managing Director of the Mack Center, organizes and hosts this event.


 


 

The Future of BioSciences:
Four Scenarios for 2020 and Their Implications for Human Healthcare
Edited by Paul J.H. Schoemaker
and Michael S. Tomczyk

The electronic version of this report can be purchased online at:
http://www.caleogroup.com/index_files/dsi.htm

Industry partners in the BioSciences Crossroads Initiative and corporate sponsors of the Future of BioSciences report will receive complimentary copies.

PERIPHERAL VISION:

Detecting the Weak Signals That Will  Make or Break Your Company

 

By Prof. George Day &
Paul Schoemaker - May 2006


* The Mack Center is an independently managed web site