Title: Technology Management: developing a critical perspective

Authors: Oswald Jones, Kenneth Green, Rod Coombs

Addresses: Leicester University, Management Centre, University Road, Leicester, LEI 7RH, UK. ' CROMTEC, Manchester School of Management, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, Manchester, M60 lQD, UK. ' CROMTEC, Manchester School of Management, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, Manchester, M60 lQD, UK.

Abstract: Technology Management is a topic which is currently attracting considerable interest from academics and practitioners. There is particular concern to ensure that technological issues are incorporated into a firm|s strategic planning. Consequently, the Technology Management literature concentrates on describing the tools and techniques for analysing the firm|s technological portfolio. We agree that the strategic management of technology is key to any attempt to improve the long-term performance of UK manufacturing. However, in this paper we argue that there is a need for those concerned with the study and teaching of Technology Management to adopt a more critical perspective. There is a danger that embracing a technological rationality might obscure the broader social and environmental issues which need to be considered when linking technology to corporate strategy.

Keywords: technology management; corporate strategy; organisational effectiveness; accounting; engineering; critical perspectives; UK manufacturing; United Kingdom.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1994.025568

International Journal of Technology Management, 1994 Vol.9 No.2, pp.156 - 171

Published online: 23 May 2009 *

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