Strategic technology management in the era of industry 4.0: The impact of emerging and disruptive technologies

Industry 4.0 represents an era of transformation characterized by the integration of technologies such as digitalization, automation, and artificial intelligence into industrial processes, fundamentally altering how businesses compete. In this new era, Strategic Technology Management (STM) requires treating technology as a strategic resource, formulating a technology policy aligned with the organization's business objectives, and effectively implementing this policy. Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) are innovations with the potential to entirely transform existing business models, products, and services. For instance, technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, Blockchain, and Augmented Reality (AR) stand out as disruptive technologies in the Industry 4.0 era. The emergence of these technologies profoundly impacts not only operational processes but also strategic decision-making mechanisms. In the Industry 4.0 era, a strategic perspective is critical for businesses to adapt to emerging and disruptive technologies, assess the opportunities and risks these technologies present, and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The strategic management of emerging and disruptive technologies, unlike traditional approaches, necessitates the development and implementation of proactive, innovation-driven, collaborative, and flexible strategies. These technologies not only enable businesses to gain competitive advantages but also have the potential to fundamentally transform their ways of operation and business models. Therefore, organizations' strategic approaches to disruptive technologies should be aligned with both internal and external environments, capable of managing risks, and structured to promote innovation in a sustainable manner. This thesis focuses on the unique characteristics and dynamics of the Industry 4.0 era, examining how strategy and technology can be integrated through strategic technology management in managing emerging and disruptive technologies. Within this scope, it explores the impacts of EDT on strategic technology management and investigates the distinct approaches required for their management.