Abstract
Conditions that influence the semiconductor nonvolatile memory (NVM) technology advances and development are under very limited control by the technologist and device or system innovators. Factors such as national technical policy, national technology initiatives, global competition, the general economic conditions, and the particular conditions of a target market will shape the opportunities for success or failure of particular memory development approach. Technologist and system planners should seek to understand these forces if they wish to participate in the processes that will set their agenda.