Human Factors In Maker/User Evolvement Of A Unique Marine Gauging Technology

There is much written about the development of new instrument technology, about technical barriers confronted and overcome, and application engineering performed to meet real needs in the marketplace. But what about the subjective hurdles encountered? These human factors are more subtle, less amenable to taught engineering solution, yet can block the adoption of worthy, but unfamiliar, new developments. A unique marine gauging technology is used to illustrate market resistance and to show the important interplay between equipment maker and equipment user that determines the success or failure of new product technology. A major ship operator, Keystone Shipping Company, supplements this paper with commentary on the user´s view of new electronic equipment adoption.