MEM Technology & Innovation Management 2

Question 1

Which concept describes a situation where an established technology is displaced by a simpler, cheaper alternative that initially underperforms on traditional metrics?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive innovation

Answer

Disruptive innovation, per Clayton Christensen, starts by serving overlooked segments with simpler, cheaper products before eventually displacing incumbents.

Question 2

A firm's 'absorptive capacity' refers to its ability to:

Accepted Answer

Recognize, assimilate, and apply external knowledge

Answer

Absorptive capacity (Cohen & Levinthal, 1990) is the firm's ability to identify, assimilate, and exploit externally generated knowledge for commercial ends.

Question 3

In the context of open innovation, which mechanism allows a firm to monetize unused intellectual property through licensing or spin-offs?

Accepted Answer

Outbound open innovation

Answer

Outbound open innovation involves commercializing internal ideas externally via licensing, joint ventures, or spin-offs.

Question 4

A technology S-curve is used primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Track performance improvement of a technology over time relative to effort invested

Answer

The S-curve shows slow initial improvement, rapid growth, then diminishing returns as a technology matures, signaling when to invest in the next paradigm.

Question 5

Which stage of the technology readiness level (TRL) scale represents a system that has been tested and validated in an operational environment?

Accepted Answer

TRL 9

Answer

TRL 9 signifies that the technology has been flight-proven or operationally proven in a real-world environment, the highest maturity level.

MEM - Master of Engineering Management Practice Test

MEM - Master of Engineering Management Practice Test

MEM Technology & Innovation Management 2