Defining nexus technology: the introduction of a conceptual model

Abstract

Technological innovations that are available, as well as those being developed, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, and in recent years technologies emerged that hold structural characteristics that are new, or different, from traditional technologies. These technologies, which are defined in this research inquiry, are referred to as a ‘nexus technology’. A review of technology definitions, typologies, and modes of interaction between technologies is provided with the aim of identifying the similarities and differences between existing concepts and that of the nexus technology. The aim of this research inquiry is not to construct a new, or alternative, definition of technology, but rather to use existing bodies of literature and definitions to develop a conceptual model that can be used to define a nexus technology. A deeper understanding of nexus technology and its defining characteristics is required to grasp the challenges associated with a nexus technology when the design, development, implementation, management, innovation and related research issues of such technologies are considered. The primary aim of defining a nexus technology is to highlight the (unique) characteristics of this type of technology, in order to, from here, further the research and body of knowledge concerned with nexus technologies.