Patterns of innovating complex technologies: a framework for adaptive network strategies

Self-organizing networks have become the dominant innovators of complex tec hnologies. This paper presents a framework that offers insight into the thr ee distinctive patterns of innovation that are evident in the evolution of six technologies. It is at those points that networks must change from one pattern to another and that major adaptations in company strategies and pub lic policy are required. Four indicators of pattern changes are discussed. Effective strategies and policy would benefit from the development of a dif ferent set of concepts and the science of complexity offers some of those c oncepts. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.