A model of technology strategy

Abstract

Technology strategy, a relatively new concept in management theory, describes how firms might use technology to gain competitive advantage. However, little practical information exists to assist firms in incorporating technological issues into the overall strategy of the firm. To counter this, a utilitarian, time-based model of the process of technology strategy has been developed. The proposed model links six technologially related tasks with decreasing time-frames, which are based on Jagues organizational constructs. Such time-frames reflect short-, medium-nad long-term future periods relevant to management decision-making and corporate development activites. The spectrum of tasks and time-frames are in the following ranges; setting horizons, beyond 20 years; industry forecasting, relating to the peirod 10-20 years ahead; technology positioning, 5-10 years; determining technology availability, 2-5 years; appropriating technology, between 1-2 years; managing technology, relating to the first year.In outlining these tasks and time-frames, it is argues that the six tasks are interrelated and should operate in parallel, in an iterative manner.