Using Expert Knowledge to Envision Future Converging Technologies

Normally, the difficulty of describing expert knowledge about a potential converging technology is its tacit or hidden nature. In other words, such knowledge is typically part of the intuition of an expert on different technologies that could merge form a new one. It is therefore, difficult to portray since, even though it resides within the person itself, it is not always formalised. However, such internal thoughts are typically revealed as probes that can be further developed. That is, it is sometimes communicated as hints into what could be the next generation of technologies almost as a fantasy out of the expert's imagination. This also applies to nascent technologies. In this case, we are after expert's intuitions. Again, it is not always easy for experts to reveal with all clarity what are their visions because such needs reside, typically, well within themselves. This article describes a study of a group of experts and key players from different areas interviewed using the repertory grid technique. The collected information will help as a first step within the research process in this area to the generation of hypotheses that can be tested in future research. With this research it is expected to advance knowledge in the area of new converging technologies and at the same time improve our understanding of which technologies will more likely take place in the market in the future.