Technovation 

Special issue call for papers

“The future of nanotechnologies”

Nanotechnology is seen by many as the harbinger of the next “Schumpeterian Wave” having the potential to revolutionize many sectors of industry.  This faction sees nanotechnology as radically changing many scientific and technological fields having the potential to foster the convergence between previously distinct technology-driven sectors. Certainly new and different acronyms and phrases such as NBIC (Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information and Communication technologies), Cognitive sciences or “BANG.”  Others see nanotechnologies as simply being so diffuse through so many disciplines that each will see nanotechnologies as a next step in their disciplines evolution.  But whatever view, Nanotechnology has developed large expectations.  Today nanotechnology is creating new centers, some say new science and technology, new paradigms, new journals, new communities and finally a new scientific tradition including university departments, offering specific diplomas and even PhDs in Nanotechnology.     

Exhibiting the epitome of creative destruction, nanotechnology advocates claim that nanotechnology will redefine existing industries and create new ones.  Some of these industrial changes are already underway mostly in materials-related industries. Nanotechnology based industrial change is emerging. Nanotechnologies are pan-industrial, that is research in one industry sector may result in economic effects in many other industries.

This special issue is interested in a wide range of papers.  These include quantitative, qualitative and case-based research.  The aim of the special issue is to explore issues related to nanotechnologies so as to better understand possible trajectories of development of nanotechnologies in different areas. 

We provide several topic areas below

1.       To what extent will nanotechnologies be developed within clusters? What
      are the potential patterns of collaboration?

2.       To what extent does nanotechnology lead to the creation of new
       institutions? New academic department? New curricula? Or will it be
       absorbed by traditional fields?

3.       What is the most likely commercialization mechanism for Nanotechnology
      based products?

4.       Is nanotechnology a relabeling of existing technological endeavors or a

      more intrinsic and permanent phenomena?
5.       To what extent do researches on nanotechnologies change our theoretical
      knowledge about technological change? The respective role of
      incumbent and start-ups? The relative role of geographic concentration
      and networks? The industry life cycle? The emerging business models?

A special session(s) of papers will occur at the COMS 2010 Conference in Albuquerque. Papers presented at this conference will be provided feedback to assist in preparing the papers for the special issue. However, participation in the conference is not required for consideration in the special issue. When submitting your paper,  select Special Issue on Nanotechnology. Additional information requests and submissions for consideration at COMS 2010 can be submitted to either Dr. Mangemantin or Dr. Walsh. 

Deadlines:

April 20th, 2010                        Abstract Submission for COMS to Dr. Walsh
August 1st, 2010:                      Submission of full papers to Dr. Walsh
                                                -First round feedback provided at conference

November 1st, 2010:                Deadline to submit papers to electronic review
                                                 system  

Contacts

Dr. Vincent Mangemantin
Grenoble Ecole de Management
12 rue Pierre Semard
38001 Grenoble Cedex, France
Vincent.mangematin@grenoble.com 

Dr. Steven T. Walsh
Black Professor of Entrepreneurship
Anderson Schools of Management
University of New Mexico
walsh@unm.edu