Technological innovation and its challenges

100 Open Startups
6 min readJun 7, 2023

Technological innovation is one of the most important pillars for economic development in the modern market.

Nowadays it is impossible to talk about innovation without talking about technology. The digital world has once and for all taken center stage in business relationships and is increasingly becoming part of people’s professional contexts.

Of course, these new tools can greatly enhance the productivity and efficiency of workers in all areas. However, this alone is not enough to generate successful projects.

Technological innovation brings with it many challenges . Especially when we think about the balance between automated actions and the human gaze.

Finding this balance is the key to a much more harmonious digital transformation process for companies in the corporate sector.

It is on this subject that we will talk today. Check it out !

technological innovation

There are different types of innovation that can occur in various areas and sectors in a company.

However, in this article we are going to talk about technological innovation and its consequences in the corporate sector.

First, we must understand that this term refers to the introduction of new technologies or enhancements to existing devices.

Technological innovation can involve the development of new products, processes or services based on the creative use of electronic and digital resources.

When we bring this reality to the universe of corporations, we are faced with a series of challenges and important questions. We will talk more about this in the paragraphs below.

Technological innovation in corporations

Technological innovation plays a key role in corporations, allowing them to adapt to market changes, increase their competitiveness and drive growth.

This role has grown in recent years, even more so in a digital transformation scenario where companies are increasingly looking to modernize their processes.

In the journey in search of this adaptation to the new times , technology serves as a compass that points out directions and new horizons for the corporate sector as well.

The great challenge is to find a balance between modernization and the human perspective that must also guide the direction of companies.

However, if this mix is ​​done well, technological innovation can offer a range of benefits to companies of every imaginable size and sector.

Check out some of these benefits below.

Here are some ways in which technological innovation occurs in corporations.

1. Development of new products and services

Corporations that invest in research and development to create innovative products and services have a great competitive advantage today.

This approach leverages the use of new technologies, whether incremental or disruptive , to meet customer needs in unique and differentiated ways.

This makes all the difference at a time in the economy where personalization and customer experience become the biggest trends in the market when it comes to attracting and retaining consumers.

2. Improvement of internal processes

In addition, corporations can adopt advanced technologies to optimize their internal processes.

This approach may include the automation of repetitive tasks, the implementation of integrated management systems (ERP), the use of data analysis for decision making.

With technology taking over most bureaucratic functions, there is more time for professionals to focus on finding creative solutions to the company’s problems.

3. Digital transformation

Corporations are increasingly turning to digital transformation , which involves integrating technology into all areas of the business.

This transition process can include the adoption of cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other technologies to improve efficiency, collaboration and customer experience.

4. Collaboration and communication

Another point to highlight is that technological innovation allows corporations to improve internal collaboration and communication with external partners.

Some examples of these benefits can be seen in information sharing platforms, videoconferencing tools, instant messaging applications and corporate social networks to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas and experiences.

5. Customer service

Technological innovation enables corporations to improve customer service and shopping experiences.

With technologies boosted by the recent boom in artificial intelligence , it is possible to optimize the relationship with potential consumers, which greatly expands the points of interaction between a company and its public.

6. Adoption of emerging technologies

Finally, it is worth mentioning that with the encouragement of technological innovation, corporations are aware of emerging technologies and explore their potential to innovate in their business models.

In addition to marking a greater openness to innovative ideas and technological trends, this posture opens up many opportunities with the new generations, formed entirely by digital natives.

These are just some of the ways in which technological innovation manifests itself in corporations.

Therefore, it is important for companies to be aware of technological trends , promote a culture of innovation and be willing to invest in research and development to remain competitive in a constantly evolving business environment.

What is the importance of bringing human values ​​to technological innovation?

As much as technological innovation is fundamental for the development of companies in the modern market, we must not forget that human resources are still the main growth factors in a company.

Focusing exclusively on digital tools can be a big mistake in this process . After all, creativity is a unique feature of people.

Therefore, bringing human values ​​to technological innovation is extremely important, as it allows people to be at the center of commercial development

See below some reasons why this is a very relevant item.

1. Meeting human needs

Technological innovation must be aligned with people’s needs, desires and aspirations.

By bringing human values , technological solutions are designed to improve the quality of life, solve real problems and meet the demands of end users.

2. Ethics and responsibility

Not to mention, advanced technological innovation brings with it a series of ethical issues and responsibilities.

It is important to consider human values ​​such as privacy, security, fairness and equity when developing and implementing technologies.

This ensures that the technology is used ethically and does not harm individuals or society as a whole.

3. Inclusion and accessibility

In order to incorporate human values ​​into technological innovation practices, it is necessary to ensure inclusion and accessibility for all people.

That is, designing technologies that are intuitive, easy to use, and that meet the needs of different groups , including people with disabilities, the elderly, and people in resource-limited regions.

4. Cooperation and collaboration

Technological innovation guided by human values ​​can encourage cooperation and collaboration between different stakeholders, such as:

  • companies;
  • government;
  • civil society;
  • local communities.

Such nature allows for a more organic and inclusive approach in the creation and implementation of technological solutions.

Bringing human values ​​to technological innovation means ensuring that technology is aligned with people’s interests and needs, promoting a positive impact and a corporate world that is more open to dialogue and mutual collaboration.

5. Technology challenges

Despite being a great facilitator of processes, technology also brings with it a series of challenges. Especially when we talk about the corporate universe.

This transition from traditional work models to digital media can be very painful for employees and collaborators of this company. Therefore, exploring new ways to carry out this change of mindset is very important.

In this context, open innovation can be an important ally for anyone who wants to bring technological innovation to a company, without losing human values.

This business model focuses on collaboration between organizations, sharing ideas, knowledge and resources to boost the technological and professional development of both parties.

Opening the doors for the participation of different companies, universities, startups and communities, generates a continuous flow of new ideas and solutions.

The diversity of knowledge and skills provided by open innovation makes it possible to approach problems in innovative and effective ways, surpassing the limitations of a single organization.

This cooperation between ecosystem participants results in more complete and relevant solutions that overcome technological challenges more efficiently.

Open innovation offers a promising way to tackle technological challenges and create a more innovative and sustainable future. Some of its main advantages are:

  • collaboration;
  • resource sharing;
  • continuous learning;
  • technological progress;
  • disruption
  • access to new markets

Where to find the best open innovation projects?

If you also understand that open innovation is the best way to bring technological innovation into your company, it’s good to know where to find the best startups open to this partnership.

That’s why we at 100Open are taking the opportunity to make a very special invitation.

Discover the 100–10–1 Startups Program, in which you and your team will have access to several startups, learn to evaluate them, provide feedback and mentoring, as well as develop open innovation projects.

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