Learn in the textbookInnovation Theory and the Three Barriers to Commercialization
DefinitionThe Devil's River (魔の川) is the first barrier on the road to a new business, where results from research must move on to development aimed at a product.
ExplanationManagement of technology sees a new business as passing through four stages, from research to development, commercialization and finally industrialization, and gives names to the barriers between them. However interesting a research result is, if no one can see what it is for or what product it could become, it is not picked for development and stops here.
AnalogyAn interesting effect found in the lab sleeps on in a research notebook because no one can see a use for it; that is the first river.
Memory hook"Devil" here is something that leads people astray. Picture research results with no clear use losing their way and being swept off by the river.