A practice review of technology management: Focusing on KONVER I support for defence diversification

Abstract

Defence industry cutbacks impact at national and local economy levels by triggering business deaths and job cuts, leading to lost workforce and production skills and a contracting manufacturing and technology base. Diversification is a key responsive mechanism to defence industry contraction, but how this can be funded and managed is a major issue. One route is to provide the structure and mechanisms for technology transfer. The 1980s and 1990s have seen a number of initiatives established which prioritised this route and some have received European funding under KONVER I support for defence diversification. These constituted the primary focus of research for this paper and form a practice review of diversification experiences between 1993 and 1995 through selected case studies from Lancashire, the West Midlands, the South West and Hertfordshire. Discussion of the mechanisms, structures and operational issues is contexualised by outlining public and private sector strategies and support.