Fishbone diagram for technological analysis and foresight

Fishbone diagram is a graphical technique to show the several
causes of a specific event. Fishbone diagram is applied here as a novel method
of graphical representation to identify, explore and analyse the sources of
innovation and especially general purpose technologies (GPTs). Firstly, the
study here shows the driving forces of GPTs, such as: higher democratisation,
high investment in R&D, etc. Secondly, these drivers of GPTs and in general of
new technology are systematised within fishbone diagrams for technological
analysis. Some examples are illustrated by applying the fishbone diagram to
specific GPTs, such as steam engine and information and communication
technologies (ICTs). Overall, then, fishbone diagram seems to be an
appropriate and general technique of graphical representation for the
technological analysis and foresight of path-breaking innovation in society.