4. Conclusion

Managing knowledge and technology is part of the innovation process. It's an activity in its own right, involving managers, executives and project leaders. The aim is to ensure consistency between the organizational and structural levels of the entire company (the skills of individuals and groups) and innovative projects (the skills required to make decisions about future products). There are a number of critical points to note.

• Internal assessment is more relevant when carried out with the support of an outsider. Indeed, managers are often unanimous in their assessment of a given skill; an outside opinion can provide greater objectivity.

• The quality of information gathered externally is essential. Very often, professionals' field of investigation is too narrow. Innovation often comes from other fields of...