A Textbook of Technology Management

The contents of this book have been divided into two parts?Part I (Concepts in Technology Management) and Part II (Cases in Technology Management). Part I includes An Introduction to Technology Management, Creativity and Innovation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The New Principles of Technology Management, Technology Acquisition Competitiveness, Planning and Implementation of Technology, Strategy Formulation and Implementation, Technology Life Cycles and Product Life Cycle and Technology Transfer. Part II includes Lessons from Robert Mc Math's New Product Show Case of Flop Products, The Osborne Company, Microsoft Company Incorporated, The Tigers, Apple Computers Incorporated and Are you a Mouse Potato or a Techno Striver?

This document contains contents.

The great Indian Mathematician Sir Srinivasa Ramanujum died of Tuberculosis. There was no cure for T.B. But, now we know that Tuberculosis is curable. Had the cure for TB existed in Sir Ramanujum’s time, his life could have been saved. 

The most significant factors in technological advance of a country or company is production of new goods (innovation). In the present competition ‘innovate or perish’ is the new slogan. Innovation is the creation of new goods with additional features. For example, ONIDA TV added flat screen feature. As a result thousands of ONIDA flat screen televisions have been sold and it gained crores of rupees of profit. Cellular phone is another example of innovation. Cell phone is not an invention phones already existed since Graham Bell invented them. But creation of mobile, wireless phones is an example of innovation which is bringing crores of rupees of profits to the company.

Innovation is not a single shot affair. As has already been discussed, it requires patience. The fermentation of ideas into the wine (product) is a slow process. The more the fermentation, the tastier the wine. First ideas have to be created, then they have to be cross fertilized then research has to be done on how to convert the ideas into a product. It is well known that "necessity is the mother of invention".

An enterprise will be successful only if it is capable of adding value to it's products. A product should have superior quality consumers like Japanese goods only because of their highest quality. Quality enhances the reputation of a company.

We as a company or country must keep up in pace with technological developments in western advanced countries. For this purpose we must acquire the needed technology from advanced western countries.

In 1990’s the term competitiveness was used to describe the economic strength of one nation over another. Competitiveness is the process by which one country or one company tries to perform better than other country or firm.

One of the great poets Rudyard Kipling said I keep Six honest servants who taught me what to do. They are who? When? How? Where? What, whom? Planning is the charting out of action in advance, keeping future risk and uncertainty in view, if removes uncertainty to some extent. It may bridge the gap between present and future. Large multinational companies, like Tata's, Birla's, Motorola, General electronic (USA) view technology planning as a vital and most significant factor to ensure their success, the planning process involves examination of all pertinent points regarding future and it involves creating clear cut goals and charting out an clear-cut route of action we must check and monitor whether everything is going as per plan or not.

Peter Drucker, the greatest management thinker has told that a business company is defined by it's mission statement and not by it's name. For example if we say Bollywood is in the Hindi film business this is a very narrow definition. To make Bollywood mission statement we may say "Bollywood is in entertainment business". The second statement includes, production of private albums, documentaries and organizing benefit matches by Bollywood actors for Tsunami victims. Thus the second statement is very broad whereas the first statement is too narrow.

The performance of technology has a recognized pattern over time. While dealing with technology, we have to carefully consider the position and state in which our technology is situated. There is obviously no point in purchasing obsolete technology for crores of rupees. If we purchase a technology which is going to become out dated or out fashioned within 1 year then it is foolishness and utter loss of money. It makes tremendous sense in purchasing a technology which is the current fashion of the market.

Here technology flows from a fully–advanced industrial country like USA or UK to less– developed countries like India or Ethiopia. It may occur due to the following reasons. (i) Countries like USA and UK may set up their companies in Indian Soil. This is because they want to take ample advantage of cheap Indian labour, and tax-deductions. Our scientists and engineers working in these Multi–National companies may learn about sophisticated machines and latest technology through their work experience. Sometimes they may come and work in Indian companies while working in Indian companies they may apply the sophisticated technology of American multinational Companies in Indian companies.

To teach the students, how we can learn from other's failures. Other's lives should be an example for us. We should extract valuable lessons, from other's failures. In Innovation, out of 100 ideas only 5 succeed. Therefore lot of patience is required on the part of the Engineering/Technology. Manager to create a successful innovation. The freedom to make mistakes provides the best environment for creativity. Thomas Alva Edison failed 1,500 times until he found that Tungsten was the correct element to be used for Electric bulb. Determination is required for success.

Correct timing is most essential in launching a new product. This case illustrates the fact that it is most important to introduce a new invention in the market as soon as possible. In other words, the time lag between invention and market introduction should be very less (nearly zero).

Microsoft is the leading computer company in the world. Globally it has a strong presence in almost every country. This company was started by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Bill Gates became the richest man in the world with his income crossing 90 billions. Paul Allen also earned billions of dollars. It’s starting has been from humble beginnings. Bill Gates and Paul Allen were friends from childhood. They nurtured together a passion for computers.

It explains the reasons of downfall of tigers. It explains that education, political conditions of a country play a vital role in the continued success of a country. Technology without the support of proper education cannot move a country competitive.

The Apple Case describes the entrepreneurial spirit of two friends Steve Jobs and Stephen Woznaik. It describes the birth growth and decline of APPLE. It describes what the mistake of not following Technology Management principles can do to even a giant company like APPLE. Every company must follow the cardinal principles of Technology Management. Otherwise, it will go to ruins as happened with APPLE.

To illustrate how various kinds of people react to new Technology. Some may like the new Technology and spend for much on it. Some may dislike new Technology.