Abstract: In this paper, we first analyze the path-dependence and the path-creation of technology innovation, and clarify the fact that the path-creation present potential innovation power in contrast to the path-dependence which will lead to the inefficiency of technology innovation. Then, we propose the thesis of the transformation of technology innovation from path-dependence to path-creation and define two ways based on the different types of technology innovation. Next, we describe technology innovation has the characteristic of complex adaptive system and present the transformational hypothesis based on the CAS theory. Finally, we prove the hypothesis through case study and CAS theory.

Key words: technology innovation, path-dependence, path-creation, complex adaptive system theory