Title: Managing technological change in manufacturing SMEs: a multiple case analysis

Authors: Louis Raymond, Pierre-Andre Julien, Jean-Bernard Carriere, Richard Lachance

Addresses: Groupe de recherche en economie et gestion des PME, Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, C.P. 500, Trois Rivieres, Qc G9A 5H7, Canada. ' Groupe de recherche en economie et gestion des PME, Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, C.P. 500, Trois Rivieres, Qc G9A 5H7, Canada. ' Groupe de recherche en economie et gestion des PME, Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, C.P. 500, Trois Rivieres, Qc G9A 5H7, Canada. ' Groupe de recherche en economie et gestion des PME, Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, C.P. 500, Trois Rivieres, Qc G9A 5H7, Canada

Abstract: Managing technological change has become one of the critical determinants of organizational performance, if not of survival, for many a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in the manufacturing sector. It has thus become important for researchers to better understand how these firms adopt and implement new technologies. This paper presents a case study analysis of the technology adoption decision in 14 Canadian enterprises. Based on an analytical framework comprising 85 factors regrouped into 18 variables, three distinct profiles are identified in terms of strategic advantage, technological expertise, the decision-making process and organizational capabilities. These results confirm that there is no |one best| strategy of technological change for SMEs.

Keywords: technology management; small business; case study; technological change; manufacturing SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; strategic advantage; decision making; technology adoption; Canada.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1996.025432

International Journal of Technology Management, 1996 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.270 - 285

Published online: 22 May 2009 *

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