Article: Impact of technology on functional roles and strategies: illustrative cases in the USA, Japan and France, and lessons learned Journal: International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM) 1994 Vol.9 No.5/6/7 pp.529 - 546 Abstract: This paper discusses: (1) the impact of technology in shaping the roles and strategies of functional management (Research, Development, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Marketing, Human Resources and Finance) and (2) the innovative contributions of these functions, beyond their normal work responsibilities, for converting technological advantages into worldwide market leadership. Nine cases are utilized as illustrations, all high-technology businesses started within large corporations, that achieved leadership in high-tech markets through strategic focus, technological innovation and functional excellence: GE Project Extra-High-Voltage; GE Plastics; GE Medical Systems: Motorola Communications; Coming; Apple Computer; Toshiba Information Systems; Xerox Non-Impact Printers; and Rhone-Poulenc Agrochemical. The lessons learned and conclusions are that: (1) technology leadership is not enough; (2) functional excellence is a must; (3) all functions must innovate; (4) functional work must be integrated; (5) in future, technological innovations will be integrated with equally innovative advances of all other functions. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Impact of technology on functional roles and strategies: illustrative cases in the USA, Japan and France, and lessons learned

Authors: Pier A. Abetti

Addresses: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180-3590, USA

Abstract: This paper discusses: (1) the impact of technology in shaping the roles and strategies of functional management (Research, Development, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Marketing, Human Resources and Finance) and (2) the innovative contributions of these functions, beyond their normal work responsibilities, for converting technological advantages into worldwide market leadership. Nine cases are utilized as illustrations, all high-technology businesses started within large corporations, that achieved leadership in high-tech markets through strategic focus, technological innovation and functional excellence: GE Project Extra-High-Voltage; GE Plastics; GE Medical Systems: Motorola Communications; Coming; Apple Computer; Toshiba Information Systems; Xerox Non-Impact Printers; and Rhone-Poulenc Agrochemical. The lessons learned and conclusions are that: (1) technology leadership is not enough; (2) functional excellence is a must; (3) all functions must innovate; (4) functional work must be integrated; (5) in future, technological innovations will be integrated with equally innovative advances of all other functions.

Keywords: technology strategy; functional strategies; functional integration; role of technology; innovation; General Electric; Motorola; Corning; Xerox; Apple Computer; Toshiba; Rhone-Poulenc; USA; United States; Japan; France; technology management; R&D; research and development; engineering; manufacturing; quality assurance; QA; marketing; human resources; finance; technology leadership; functional excellence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1994.025589

International Journal of Technology Management, 1994 Vol.9 No.5/6/7, pp.529 - 546

Published online: 23 May 2009 *

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Title: Impact of technology on functional roles and strategies: illustrative cases in the USA, Japan and France, and lessons learned

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