Elements of strategic technology management

OULU 2010

C 362

ACTA

Kari Sahlman

UUNNIIVVEERRSSIITTAATTIISS OOUULLUUEENNSSIISS

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ELEMENTS OF STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF OULU

ACTA UNIVERSITATIS OULUENSIS

C Te c h n i c a 3 6 2

KARI SAHLMAN

ELEMENTS OF STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

Academic dissertation to be presented with the assent of the Faculty of Technology of the University of Oulu for public defence in T?nning-sali (Auditorium L4), Linnanmaa, on 12 August 2010, at 12 noon

UNIVERSITY OF OULU, OULU 2010

Copyright ? 2010 Acta Univ. Oul. C 362, 2010

Supervised by Professor Harri Haapasalo

Reviewed by Professor Dilek Cetindamar Professor Saku M?kinen

ISBN 978-951-42-6249-4 (Paperback) ISBN 978-951-42-6250-0 (PDF) ISSN 0355-3213 (Printed) ISSN 1796-2226 (Online)

Cover design Raimo Ahonen

JUVENES PRINT TAMPERE 2010

Sahlman, Kari, Elements of strategic technology management Faculty of Technology, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, P.O.Box 4610, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland Acta Univ. Oul. C 362, 2010 Oulu, Finland

Abstract

In an increasingly complex economic and social environment, high technology companies are facing accelerating technological development and global technology-based competition. Due to the critical role of technology in a competitive environment, strategic technology management is important for enterprises. For the long-term success, companies must develop and sustain their technological capabilities to create internal and external impacts within an ambiguous socioeconomic context.

In the absence of commonly agreed frameworks, elements of strategic technology management are discovered in this dissertation. The research is conducted in the context of high technology product companies, to develop a framework based on literature findings, and by obtaining qualitative information on enterprise practices.

For the framework development, integrated management theory is applied to consider technology management in strategic dimension. The framework consists of structures, objectives and impacts categories, each having six main elements which contain several sub-classes.

In the research, perceptions of enterprise practitioners indicated that the entire field of strategic technology management is confusing and diversely practiced. The contribution of this dissertation is benefiting practitioners by providing an outline to assist in defining and developing the practices. For the main theoretical contribution, the framework unites strategic management, organizational management, and technology management concepts in enterprise context.

As a practical implication, it is suggested that companies should consider establishing and integrating strategic technology management as a distinguishing managerial discipline amongst other organizational functions. Enterprises should consider defining and developing the necessary structures and objectives for strategic technology management, to proactively manage impacts of technology for competitiveness of the enterprise, and for sustainable development of its socioeconomic environment.

In conclusion, the framework provides for scholars and practitioners a logical structure to elements of strategic technology management.

Keywords: strategic management, technology management

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