Technology & Innovation Management: - PICMET Conference

PAPERS AND PANELS
by individuals involved in their development. Why were these models
successful? What mistakes were made? How might such partnerships
by structured in Oregon?
WC-10 Wednesday, July 28, 1999
13:30 - 15:00 Cabinet
International Issues in Technology Management 5: Management of
Engineering and Technology in Africa
Chair: Antonie M de Klerk, University of Pretoria
WC-10.1 - TQM In South African Industry: The Vehicle for Global
Competitiveness
Dietmar Winzker, Cubex Engineering Mgmt Systems (Pty) Ltd
The paper discusses the development of quality principles as practiced
in the South African high tech industry and is elucidated with
suitable examples. The evolution of the high tech industry in South
Africa was the main driver for quality improvements and has resulted
in constant striving for TQM principles. Elements of TQM were
introduced gradually, and as awareness for TQM continues to grow
in the SA industry through the introduction of the South African
Business Excellence Model (SABEM), this will lead to increased
global competitiveness. The SA approach to TQM and the growth
process grew out of the necessity for global competitiveness and can
serve as an example for other developing nations.
WC-10.2 - Industry, Government and Technical Professional Human
Resources in Developing Countries: Lessons from the Botswana
Government Bursary Program
Douglas Rebne, Al Akhawayn University
Lilybert Machacha, University of Botswana
International technology transfer via localization of technology-oriented
work is an important but poorly understood issue. We apply
foreign direct investment theory in arguing that MNC Technology
and Human Resource Management functions may constructively
influence local public policy on technical career development. The
bursary education system of Botswana, a less-developed country, is
used to illustrate this thesis.
WC-11 Wednesday, July 28, 1999
13:30 - 15:00 Executive
Technology-Based Organizations 4
Chair: Rochelle Young, Old Dominion University
WC-11.1 - Developing Effective Social Structures Using Knowledge
Processes
Rochelle Young, Old Dominion University
The focus of this paper is to provide a framework for developing
effective social structures using knowledge processes. This framework
is useful in understanding how technology and its processes
can be managed within the social structure of the organization.
Knowledge processes are pertinent to the development of effective
social structures that not only embrace new technologies, but also
create technology through systemic knowledge creation, sharing and
implementation. The premise of this notion is that technology
whether in the form of computing hardware, software application,
and/or applied science, can be combined with the expertise, skill,
and experience of organizational members. Supporting this premise
is the belief that technologies are not confined to a specific application,
business, or industry, and culture, but are applicable to all
aspects of the organization. With this in mind, it is the belief of the
author that knowledge processes, originating from members’ social
constructs, experience, and the like can be combined to provide a
basis for managing new technology. This theoretical framework has
served as a template for researching how practitioners, scientists,
and business personnel integrate new technology into the work place
and move towards successful policy development for managing technology.
WC-11.2 - Organizational Commitment in Adverse Job Conditions
Maria Filomena Ricco, Centro Tecnico Aeroespacial - CTA
Roberto Coda, Universidade de Sao Paulo USP/FEA
The purpose of this research is to clarify the apparent discrepancy
between organizational behavior theories and the researchers’ behavior
of the Brazilian Aerospace Technical Center. Specifically, the
study uses the Meyer and Allen’s three-component model (affective,
normative and continuance) to elucidate the kind of organizational
commitment occurred in adverse job conditions.
WC-12 Wednesday, July 28, 1999
13:30 - 15:00 Senate
Quality Management - 3
Chair: Jack M Kloeber, Jr., Air Force Institute of Technology
WC-12.1 - Implementing Process Re-engineering: Challenges and
Opportunities
Phil Baker, Coventry University
David Medori, Coventry University
Suppliers to automotive original equipment manufacturers are under
increasing pressure to become more agile and provide just-in-time
supply whilst reducing operational costs. This paper discusses the
challenges faced by a first-tier automotive supplier in the development
and implementation of a process re-engineering project which
was designed to address these issues.
WC-12.2 - Reengineering Training for Performance Improvement
Dennis Kulonda, University of Central Florida
It has been estimated that the direct expenditures on formal training
was $59.8 Billion but measuring results is difficult. A process is
described and developed for both measuring the results and improving
the results of the training.
WC-12.3 - A Model for Process Re-development in a Small &
Medium Enterprise
T. S. Wong, Winkler Industrial Company Ltd.
Walter W.C. Chung, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
A small to medium enterprise (SME) has to innovate its traditional management
wisdom to meet the challenge of change. In the context of
industry, academic and government collaboration, this paper describes a
case study which illustrates how an SME acquires manufacturing best
practice to reform its processes and gain competitive advantage.
WC-13 Wednesday, July 28, 1999
13:30 - 15:00 Pavilion East
Industry Applications-9: Health Care
Chair: Karen B Eden, Oregon Health Sciences University
WC-13.1 - Superconductivity at General Electric (1960-1990): From
Science to Technology to Products and Profits
Pier Abetti, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
We follow the evolution of superconductivity at General Electric,
from scientific research that led to a Nobel Prize, to technological
innovation in materials and magnets, and finally to global leadership
in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) medical diagnostic systems. By
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