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Have you ever wondered about the forces behind globalization, mass customization, just in time delivery, virtual companies, and perfect information? Providing a platform to understand and navigate our rapidly advancing world, Techonomics: The Theory of Industrial Evolution explains the relationship between technology, economy, and organizations. Successful entrepreneur and prolific inventor Dr. H. Lee Martin shares a technologist’s marketplace insights gained from a 15-year journey from the garage to the public market.
Martin examines four foundations of healthy organizations: energy, communication, computation, and community. He then elucidates a method of tracking market progress, based on measuring both technology performance and economic cost, which provides a tool to consistently monitor advancement of any endeavor. The book looks at three contemporary trends based on electronic advancement, network expansion, and increasing productivity that are forcefully driving organizations in the 21st century. It explains examples of successful companies utilizing emerging operational business models.
Adam Smith’s laws of supply and demand are challenged daily by a world productive capacity that can overproduce manufactured goods and create infinite supplies of information. Providing examples of the value of e-commerce to business operations, Technomics delineates how to measure, compare, and maximize trends in key processes. It demonstrates how, in the dawning Virtual Age, organizations that effectively use ALL resources will continually increase productivity, and those that don’t will fall behind.
Table of Contents
A Techonomic Primer
Introduction to Techonomics
Introduction
Goal of this Book
From Biology to Business
Techonomics: The Definition
Fundamental Assumptions
A Leading Indicator: The Military
Summary
Questions
References
Seeing the World through Transactions
Story of Ronald Coase
Transaction Cost Analysis: The Make-or-Buy Decision
Hidden Transaction Costs
The Importance of “Perfect Information”
Defining Techonomic Metrics
Techonomic Metric Process
Summary
Questions
References
A Techonomic Perspective of History
Organizational Evolution Resulting from Technological Advancement: A Timeline
Introduction
A Timeline of Technology
The Four-Square Principle: Organisms/Individuals
The Four-Square Principle: Organizations/Society
Summary
Questions
References
Creating Techonomic Metrics
Introduction
The Techonomic Sweetspot
An Example: Digital Photography Techonomic Metric
Military: Technology Advance without Economic Constraint
Energy: Side 1 of the Organizational Square
Computation: Side 2 of the Organizational Square
Communications: Side 3 of the Organizational Square
Community: Side 4 of the Organizational Square
Reflections on Interdependence
Summary
Questions
References
Techonomics at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century
The First Three Laws of Twenty-First-Century Techonomics
Introduction
Moore’s Law: Ubiquitous Computing
Metcalfe’s Law: Ubiquitous Global Network
Coase-Downes-Mui Law: Diminishing Organization Size
The Franchise Effect: Growth through Replication
Summary
Questions
References
Emerging Twenty-First-Century Techonomic Business Models
Introduction
Positive Cash-Flow Manufacturing: Dell
Positive Cash-Flow Retail Distribution: Wal-Mart
Debtless Facility Expansion: Walgreens
Predictable Antiquation: Intel
Business at the Speed of Light: Microsoft
Virtual Retail: Amazon
Virtual Reselling: eBay
Virtual Media: Apple
Emerging Techonomic Conclusions
Summary
Questions
References
Emerging Techonomic Trends
Introduction
Energy: Journey to Renewable Energy Resources
Computation: All Things Digital
Communications: Expanding Control and Influence
Community: Increasing Efficiency from Specialization Yields
Summary
Questions
References
Post-Industrial Challenges and Techonomic Answers
Techonomic Market Crises and Recommendations
Techonomics Natural Selection Mechanism: Competition
Energy: Economic Reason or Ruin
Healthcare: Inverted Techonomics and Its Implications
Education: Techonomics of Monopoly
Government: Techonomic Effect in Macroeconomics
Summary
Questions
References
The Techonomic Future
Expanding the Boundaries
Vanishing into the Virtual
From Adam Smith to Techonomics
The Techonomic Worldview
Summary
Questions
References
Afterword
Appendix 1: Terminology Related to Techonomics
Appendix 2: Example of Process for Developing a Techonomic Metric Index
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Reviews
“…For a competitive advantage, this book is a must read for any 21st century manager.”
— John S. Hendricks, Founder and Chairman, Discovery Communications, Inc.
“… an excellent job creating a framework to look at and understand this new world and predict the future that it holds.”
— Patrick P. Gelsinger, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Intel Corporation
“… If you liked Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat, you’ll love this book.”
— William F. Ford, PhD., former CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
“A must read as you contemplate the future of technology development in a ‘Flat World’”.
— Promod Haque, Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist
"…a fresh new insight to the interplay between technology and competition in this revolution."
— David Coffey, Owner, Security Services Network, Inc., 5-time Inc. 500 Award-Winning Entrepreneur
“Lee Martin’s unique background which combines tremendous technology knowledge with a common sense business approach has allowed him to explain in everyday terms the significant relationship between business, technology and organizational structure.”
— Jimmy Haslam, President, Pilot Travel Centers, USA
“A must read for all managers from the first level to the CEO. A definite must read for all U.S. Representatives and Senators…”
— Richard Davies, Vice President of North American Manufacturing (retired), Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
“…the principles of Techonomics will give you and your company or organization a competitive advantage. …The wise reader will put them to use immediately.”
— Bill Baxter, Chairman of the Board, Tennessee Valley Authority
“… argues convincingly that technology is the driving force behind organizational change. …Entrepreneurs and others will do well to embrace the concept of Techonomics.”
— Dr. Loren W. Crabtree, Chancellor, University of Tennessee
“… helpful in understanding the increasing complexity and changing dynamics of today’s global economic playing field.”
— Frederick H. Forster, Major General (retired), Tennessee Air National Guard
“…thought-provoking analytical techniques and metrics to improve both our organizations and our futures.”
— James D. Froula, Executive Director, Tau Beta Pi Association
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