1.0 Introduction

A technology innovation is defined as a new/improved product or process whose technology characteristics are substantially distinct from before. In this regard, Sinnaps (2021) report found out that 84% of international business executives hold the view and belief that innovativeness is instrumental for their growth strategy. In the provided module notes, technology innovation is identified as a process where new products (product innovations) or processes in application (process innovations) are introduced to a particular market. The rationale of investing in technology innovation is identified in Wang et al. (2019) by quoting the COVID-19 pandemic and influence on technology innovation that an entity leverage from the assurance of growth, substantial expansion and leveraging on competitive advantage over the organisation rivals in similar sector/industry. Therefore, based on this background information, this report focuses on identifying a technology innovation, evaluated in detail with commercialisation and potential challenges highlighted.

2.0 Selected Technology Innovation

2.1 Identification of Technology Innovation

In this report, the Virtual Reality (VR) Technology has been selected for evaluation. In particular, the Virtual Black Stone Initiative as identified in Middle East Eye (2022) to have been introduced in Saudi Arabia as an extension of VR growth has been evaluated. According to Franklin Institute (2022) the VR technology innovation has been developed from ideas dating back to the 1800s. This was later developed in 1938 and patented in 1939 and is still under production today (See figure 1 on the VR History);

The Very Real History of Virtual Reality (+A Look Ahead)

Figure 1: History of the VR Technology

The main purpose of developing the VR is identified by Menin et al. (2018) as inclusive of creation of an immersive experiences which are relevant for assisting in educating and even entertaining their users. More than the gaming use case, the virtual reality is used in different industries including medicine, architecture, military and more. Since the VR technology is significantly broad and involving multiple areas of their use, the Black Stone Technology Al-Arabiya news (2022) in Saudi Arabia is specifically used as an area of focus in this report. Through this technology, the Muslim are offered with an appropriate opportunity for touching the Black Stone which is a rock at the South-eastern corner of the Holy Kaaba at the comfort of their homes. The rationale of developing this technology information was informed by the fact that COVID-19 pandemic had impacted travelling with Saudi Authorities limiting the number of pilgrims for tackling the prevalence of COVID-19 pandemic.

2.2 Description of the Technology

As evidenced in Tribune (2021), the VR technology identified as “Black Stone” had been developed for offering a chance for touching the Black Stone at Kaaba in Mecca. This is inclusive of simulation of the main Muslim pilgrimage sites in Mecca sites in Mecca that from today and future, they could visit from their home owing to the virtual reality. Also, the VR is meant to ensure that the Muslims are experiencing the Hajr Aswad virtually before the pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). The success of this initiative had been informed by the fact that it has been initiated by the Exhibitions and Museums Affairs Agency with an active collaboration with Umm Al-Qura University. Also, as evidenced in Middle East Eye (2022) report, after the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, in Saudi Arabia (KSA), only 60,000 citizens and residents fully vaccinated had access to performance of Hajj which is a decline from the 2.5 million in 2019 prior the pandemic emerged. This is an improvement from the previous technology where they were taking approximately 1,050 high-resolution photographs over 7 hours of the Black Stone.

2.3 The source of the Technology

As evidenced in the module notes, the innovation could come from the government, customers preferences, organisation research and development and employees creativity. Similarly, Siasat Daily (2021) note that the Virtual Black Stone initiative would be launched by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais. This is the Head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosque. Also, the rationale of this is that in Saudi Arabia (KSA), they embrace immense religious and historical sites which are supposed to be digitised and communicated to all people by the means of latest technologies. The importance of the virtual simulation environment is instrumental for harnessing the largest possible number of senses including vision, hearing, touch and smell. The rationale of this is informed by Lee (2020) which note that investment of technology and particularly the Virtual Technology (VR) in promoting the development of human communication technologies influencing each other holistically. This is with the technologies being adopted in harnessing the communication effectiveness and particularly leading to special social and cultural forms.

2.4 Leading the Commercialisation process

Adopting the definition of Lehtimäki et al. (2019) commercialisation of an innovation identify the set of activities essential for introduction of an innovation to a market. This is done in phases from the initial introduction of the product, mass production and adoption (see figure 2);

The process of innovations commercialization | Download Scientific Diagram

Figure 2: Steps of Commercialisation

Considering the Saudi Arabia (KSA) context, the rationale for commercialisation of the identified innovation is informed by the importance of tourism both religion and historical sites. As evidenced in Trading Economics (2022) the overall tourism revenues in Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2021 was $4 billion. As at 2022, KSA had been targeting to achieve approximately 70 million tourism visits as evidenced in Reuters (2022) from the 19,500 which have been in progress. The commercialisation was initiated by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais by offering an opportunity for simulating the main Muslim pilgrimage sites in Mecca which could be visited from home as a result of the rise in virtual reality. From this commercialisation, the employees who would be involved in the process of viewing the sites would pay half the amount paid by the visitors when they do this physically. From a general context, a visit to the black stone installation in Mecca would cost approximately $93. In this case, they would pay half of this amount which is approximately $46. Hence, commercialisation of this innovation would be profitable to both KSA government and also the Mosques which have the Black stones installed in them as part of their operations and tourists attraction.

2.5 Early Adopters

The early adopters of the technology innovation is the millions of Muslims who visit Saudi Arabia every year. As evidenced in Wafy (2021) this technology which started as an invention by the Saudi Arabia government, it has transitioned to become a significant innovation where their users leverage from an opportunity of enjoying the details provided by Ka’aba, Yemeni Corner and Black Stone by use of VR glasses. Since its invention, there has been approximately 50 million users of the VR technology innovation which is under its own right a significant growth and development. It is projected that the use of Virtual Black Stone Initiative will continue to expand as modern organisations prioritise on embracing new technologies and innovations as part of their operations.

3.0 Key challenges faced in the Technology

As evidenced in News Saudi (2021) the main challenge with this innovation is the resistance of implementation it has experienced. Basically, majority…….

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