OCTOBER 19-20, 2012 - YMCA University of Science & Technology

Proceedings of the National Conference on
Trends and Advances in Mechanical Engineering,
YMCA University of Science & Technology, Faridabad, Haryana, Oct 19-20, 2012
ENABLERS OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT: AN ISM
APPROACH
Sarvesh Kumar, Javed Khan, Abid Haleem
Mechanical Engineering Department, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
e-mail: sarvesh0045@gmail.com
Abstract
The management of technology is acquiring a distinctive character and increasingly being recognized as an
activity that complements other managerial functions in providing the necessary inputs to the decision-making
process. Few factors which are helpers in the implementation of technology management which are known as
enablers. The objective of this paper is to developed the relationships among the identified TM enablers. Further,
this paper is also helpful to understand mutual influence of enablers and identify those enablers which support
other enablers (driving enabler) and also those enablers which are most influenced by other enablers(dependent
enabler ). The interpretive structure modeling (ISM) methodology is used to evolve mutual relationship among
these enablers. TM enablers have been classified, based on their driving power and dependence power.
Keywords:Technology Management (TM), Enablers, dependence power, driving power, Interpretive Structural
Modelling (ISM).
1- Introduction
Technology management is a process, which includes planning, directing, control and coordination of the
development and implementation of technological capabilities to shape and accomplish the strategic and
operational objectives of an organization (Task Force on Management of Technology, 1987). On the other hand,
technology management includes: (1) planning for the development of technology capabilities; (2) identifying
key technology and its related fields for development; (3) determining whether ‘to buy’ or ‘to make’, i.e.
whether importation or self-development should be pursued; and (4) establishing institutional mechanisms for
directing and coordinating the development of technology capabilities, and the design of policy measures for
controls (Wang, 1993). Technology management is the capacity of a firm, a group or a society to master the
management of the factors that condition technical change with the purpose of improving its economic, social
and cultural environment and increasing its wealth quotient.The overall process of technology management can
be divided into the following eight phases (Khamba, Singh and Sushil, 2001):
• Forecasting and Assessment
• Planning and Strategy
• Acquisition and Development
• Transfer
• Adoption and Adaptation
• Diffusion and Substitution
• Utilization
• Phasing – out.
The aim of this paper is to develop the relationships among the identified enablers using interpretive structural
modeling (ISM) and classify theses enablers depending upon their driving and dependence power. ISM is a well
established methodology for identifying relationships among specific items which define a problem or an
issue(A. Sage,1977, J. Warfield.,2005). The opinions from group of experts are used in developing the
relationship matrix, which was later used in the development of the ISM model. These enablers are derived
theoretically from various literature sources, and experts’ discussion (See Tab. 1).
Table 1. Technology Management Enablers
Enablers Number Enablers Description References
1 Technology recipient characteristic
( Absorptive Capacity , Recipient
Collaborativeness )
Cohen & Levinthal ,1990;Hamel,1991;Lyles&Salk,1996; Mowery et
al., 1996; Lane & Lubatkin, 1998; Lane et al., 2001 ; Gupta &
Govindarajan,2000,Minbaeva et al.,2003;Minbaeva, 2007;Pak
&Park,2004 ;Yin& Bao,2006; Raduan Che Rose, Jegak Uli, Naresh
Kumar, Sazali Abdul Wahab, 2009; Escribano et al., 2009;
Keller,2002; Madanmohan et al.2004; Griffith et al. 2004; Santangelo,
2000; Levinson and Asahi, 1995; Sushil,2001; Child & Faulkner,
801