unit1 introductiontotm

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1.1INTRODUCTION:

Technology has become integral and essential part of not only businesses but of individual

life. Technology has profound effect on all aspects of life: business, economy, politicssociety, and economics. As a matter of one school of thought considers technology to be a

determining factor and are almost shaping direction/trends in society, business, behaviour etc

We have Bill Gates famous speech on the eve of In 1998 Microsoft's Bill Gates said about the

Wright brothers' invention at Time Magazine's 75th anniversary celebration of the airplane. In

the speech he said that "We have to understand that engineering breakthroughs are not just

mechanical or scientific, they are liberating forces that can continually improve people's

lives."

In todays business environment, poor technology management can be certainly a reason of

failure of businesses. On the contrary Technology itself is a competitive advantage for many

organizations. The speed of development of new technology and processes necessitates a

structured approach to managing technology. Technology facilitates fulfillment of customers

need for products and services efficiently and effectively. In many businesses providing

customer service without use of high technology has become impossible. Similarly use of

technology has become necessary for all business processes to remain competitive in

business. In Technology Management we make strategic decisions related to technology

taking integrated organization wide approach to meet business objectives. Scope of

Technology Management is much beyond Information Technology Management. It considers

using technology in all processes to design a product o service, to manufacture a product, to

make product/service available so as to increase profits, satisfy customers, increase business

and stay competitive .In the unit we will have a basic understanding technology, its evolution,

industrial revolution and management of technology. Major aspects of Technology

Management we will discuss in subsequent units.

1.2 CONCEPT OF TECHNOLOGY:

Technology is human innovation that involves the application or generation of knowledge or

processes to develop systems that solve problems or extend human capability. Technology


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itself is very old. Answer to the question How old is the technology will vary from 2.5

million years to 300 years depending on responders perception of Technology.

Technology in English language is a word with origins in the Greek word technologia

(), techne () "craft" and logia () "saying." Technology literally means

the act or study of making or crafting. It refers to the collection of processes and knowledgethat people use to extend human abilities and to satisfy human needs and wants.Some of the definitions of Technology are shown below:

A body of knowledge used to create tools, develop skills, and extract or collect

materials; the application of science (the combination of the scientific method and

material) to meet an objective or solve a problem.

The practical application of science to commerce or industry engineering: the

discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practicalproblems

The application of scientific advances to benefit humanity.

Anything people have made could be called technology, but usually people think ofadvances in using scientific knowledge and applying it to a practical use,

It can be seen that in all the above definitions, purpose of technology is in variance. We will

consider a holistic and broad based definition of technology:

:

1.2.1 Three aspects of technology:

Technology influences as well as part of the society and culture where it is developed and

used. Technology has three major aspects which are interrelated and mutually reinforcing.

These aspects are: products and services, human activities that create these products and

services and skills/capabilities that enable technical activities. These three aspects are shown

in the diagram 1.1 below:

Technology is a broad concept that deals with a species' usage and knowledge

of tools and crafts, and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt to

its environment


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Societys demand for products and services stimulate development of technology and

products/services. This expands technical capabilities and skills. Research and development

activities create new products/services to the society. These activities also enable developing

skills/capability in technology.

SKILL/

CAPABILITIES

enable expand

T E C H N O L O G Y

ACTIVITIES PRODUCTS/

SERVICE

produce

Diagram 1.1 Three aspects of technology

1.2.2 Impact Of Technology:

Technology has affected all aspects of our life and environment. Our life has become fully

dependent of technology so much so to call us slave of technology. The impact of technology

can be classified to be in sis areas:

Society including behavior

Culture

Economy

Environment

Politics


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Ethical considerations.

1.2.3 Classes of Technology:

To gain insight of technology it is desirable to technology understood in terms of different

classes. Technology can be broadly categorized in to following four classes as shown in table

1.1 below:

SL

NO

CLASS OF

TECHNOLOGY

PARTICULARS

1 Technology as Knowledge The knowledge, learning, know-how behind

technological innovation, development

2 . Technology as Objects Physical item/device of technical performance eg

machines, equipments, instruments, weapons,

appliances

3 Technology as a Process: Begins with a need and ends with a solution

4 Technology as Activities Set of technical activities/tasks, their methods,

procedures, routines, skills

Table 1.1 Classes of Technology

1.2.4 Resources Of Technology:

1 Tools and Machines Machines are any type to make part, to process part, make tool,

make machine

2 Materials - Materials raw materials that are transformed into useful products.

3 Processes - Processes are the tasks/jobs in which we produce products

4 Energy - Energy is the source of power.

5 Information - Technology requires information. it is use of that information that helps

us to meet our needs and wants.

6 Humans - People are the creators of technology and user of technology. People use

other resources to create technology.


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7 Capital - Any form of wealth.

.

1.3 EVOLUTION AND GROWTH OF TECHNOLOGY

Technology is a material entity created by the application of mental and physical effort to

nature in order to achieve some value. From this definition Technology is very old as humans

have been using primitive tools for almost 2 million years. However, making objects that go

slightly beyond this took a while to develop. Technology is approximately 500,000 years old.

Technology evolves in three stages as shown in the diagram 1.2 below:

STAGES OF TECHNOLOGY

EVOLUTION

Figure 1.2 Stages Of technology Evolution

1.3.1Tool

Tool is first stage of evolution of technology. A tool makes a task simple or more efficient or

reduces physical efforts by provides a mechanical advantage in accomplishing a physical task.

Tool is used by applying human or animal effort.

TOOLS

MACHINE

AUTOMATION


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The first tools developed must be for food and safety. Hunter developed tools for hunting.

Spear, arrow, container, plow, or hammers are some of the examples of tools. Initially all the

tools developed were deployed by the hunter/gatherers. Subsequently animal-powered tools

such as the plow and the horse wee developed. Use of animal driven tools increased

productivity and output in food production.

1.3.2 Machine

The second technological stage was the development of the machine. Machine substitutes

human physical effort. A machine requires the operator. The operators function is only to

control. With the industrial revolution, Machines became widespread. Machines work far

beyond capacity of human beings. Machines also perform seemingly impossible tasks due to

limitations of physical and metal capacity. For example a simple drilling machine can drill 20

times more than done manually. Besides manual drill can never achieve the quality a holedrilled on a drilling machine provide.

1.3.3 Automation:

Automation is the third stage of technological evolution. The automation is a device that

removes the element of human control with an automatic algorithm. For example an

automatic watch does not require winding up the spring or adjusting time.

All the three stages of evolution continue to be relevant today. We continue to use tool ,machine and automation devices.

1.4 MAJOR HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS

Historical development of technology is the history of development of man from cave in

forest to a urban city. For convenience the development is classified into seven periods in

sequence. Development at each stage is stated in brief.

1.4.1 Stone Age(Approximately 250,000 B.C.- 3,000 B.C.)

During the Stone Age most tools were made of stone. Shaping rocks into sharp edges for

arrows, spears, and knifes was very time consuming and the tools would easily wear with use.

Most tools were used for agriculture and hunting.


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1.4.2 Bronze Age(Approximately 3000 B.C. - 1200 B.C.)

Bronze is a soft metal alloy. It is made of copper and tin. It is easier to shape tools if metal

was melted then shaped by using a mold. The metal tools were preferred by people because

they were more durable and useful than stone tools. Besides they were easier to shape.

1.4.3 Iron Age(Approximately 1200 B.C. - 500 A.D)

Iron is metal stronger than bronze when alloyed with other materials. Again, most

technological developments using during the period were brought about to improve

agriculture, trade and military weapons.

1.4.4 Middle Ages( Approximately 500 A.D. - 1500 A.D)

The Middle Ages brought about a number of technological developments. This has resulted inindustrialization. The agricultural development led to production of a surplus of crops, and

increased trade. Increased trade created bigger markets with more products.

1.4.5 Renaissance (Approximately 1450 A.D -1700 A. D)

. The Renaissance was a time of rebirth in the arts. Gutenberg invented the printing press.

This facilitated information to be dissemination throughout the world. Initially the printing

press was used for the printing the holyBible. Subsequently, it was used to print other

literature. The first screwdriver was invented during this time. period. The camera ,

telescope, the submarine, and hydraulic press were some other products developed during this

time period.

1.4.6 Industrial Age (Approximately 1700 1940)

. In Industrial Age was the beginning of factory system. Factories were increasing in numbers

rapidly. The growing number of factories created the need for technological improvements

in products and processes. International Trade increased which created a bigger demand for

efficient, fast, reliable, systems for transportation of products. Communication advances

accelerated information and coordination systems at an alarming rate. Structural systems were

forced to improve as cities began to grow up instead of out.

1.4.7 Information Age (Approximately 1940 present)

. The Information Age is the current period of time. During information age technological

developments take place at exponential rate. Product life is shortened. The microchip


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revolutionized the world of electronics. It has made communication systems faster, cheaper,

and more powerful. Research in energy systems continues to make them more efficient and

less harmful to the environment.

Table 1. Summarizes illustrative technological developments and their significance during

different era:

AGE OF

TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPEM

ENT

APPROX

PERIOD

IMPORTANCE

Stone Age

250,000 B.C. - 2500 B.C.

Control of fire 500,000 B.C Cooking, making pottery, lighting, heat

Hand ax ,Bowand arrow

500,000

B.C.

Used for hunting

Agriculture 8000 B.C. Humans planned the growth of plants and

animals for food

Bricks 7000 B.C. Building materials

Bronze Age

3000 B.C. - 1200 B.C.

Irrigation 5000 B.C. Humans planned the watering of agricultural

crops

Wooden ships 3000 B.C. Used for trade and transportation

Pyramids 2700 BC Remarkable applications of architecture andmathematics

Glass 2000 B.C. Used for jewelry and ornaments

Casting of

metals

1400 B.C. Pouring hot metals in a mold to form shapes.

Iron Age

1200 B.C. - 500 A.D.

Water Wheel 700 B.C. Grind grains such as corn

Spinning wheel 500 B.C. Used to make yarn and thread for cloth

Great Wall ofChina

221 B.C. Built to prevent invasion

Glass 50 A.D. First used in windows

Cement 400 A.D. Used as a building material

Middle Ages

500 A.D. - 1450 A.D.

Windmills 600 Used to pump water for irrigation and millinggrain

Rockets 1232 Used as a military weaponGunpowder 1242 First explosive with both military and

building uses

Renaissance

Approximately 1450

A.D -1700 A. D.

Leonardo daVinci

1452 1519 Designed flying machines, machine gun,turbines, etc

Printing Press& Movable

Type

1452 Improved communication through massproduction of printed materials. Led to

increased literacy throughout all classes.

Railroad 1500 Used in mining to transport heavy loads

Galileo 1596 1610 Heat measurement, laws of gravitation,


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observed solar system

Newton 1600s Laws of gravitation, optics, and physics

Industrial Age

1700 - 1950Steam engine 1769

Changes steam into mechanical energy to

operate machines.

Cotton gin 1793 Made cotton a profitable industry

Machine tools 1795Made it possible to produce precision parts

for manufacturingTelegraph 1837 Improved long distance communications

Telephone 1876Improved communications without the use ofcoded messages.

Radio 1895Long distance (transatlantic) voicecommunications

Airplane 1903Greatly improved long distance transportationof people/goods

Television 1923

Mass communication. This predated the

information age by date, but not on the scalewe know it today.

Information Age1950- present

Computer 1940s Facilitates the processing & controlcapabilities of people.

Transistor 1948 Smaller and more reliable than vacuum tube.

Space

exploration1950s

Responsible for countless tech. advances

through research. (Spinoffs)

Integrated

circuit1959

Contains thousands of components that are

cheap and efficient

Cellular

telephone1978 Mobile telephone communications.

Internet

(WWW)1984

Individual access to enormous quantities of

information.

Fiber optics 1980s Fast, frictionless communications through aglass tube.

Solar energy UndefinedConverting energy from the sun into thermaland electrical energy.

Nuclear Power 1980s Alternative sources of energy.

Table 1.2 Historical Technological Development and Significance

Adopted from http://wfrhs.wcpss.net/teched/history.html

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The Industrial Revolution was a period from 1760-1850, of major changes taking place in

agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology . The industrial revolution

had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions. It began in UK, then

subsequently spread throughout Western Europe, North America, Japan, and eventually the

world.


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The Industrial Revolution marks a major turning point in human history; almost every aspect

of daily life was influenced in some way. Most notably, average income and population began

to exhibit unprecedented growth. During the period too many products and processes were

developed leading to high productivity, mass production, lesser cost and customer delight.

Some of the technological developments which changed the world are listed in the table 1.3below:

SL

NO

SECTOR TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPEMENTS

1 Textile Spinning Jenny

Roller Spinning Machine of Lewis Perrol

Flyer and Bobbin System of Paul and John Wyatt

Carding Machine of Lewis Paul and Daniel Bourn.

Spinning Mule of Lewis's

Cotton Mill of Arkwright

2 Metallurgy The cupolas/Reverberatory Furnace for producing

wrought iron using mined coal.

replacement of organic fuels based on wood with fuel

based on coke

Potting, stamping, puddling processes in forging

Crucible steel technique of Benjamin Huntsman

3 Gas lighting Large scale gasification of coal in furnaces, the

purification of the gas (removal of sulphur, ammonia,

and heavy hydrocarbons), and its storage and

distribution.

4

Mining

The introduction of the steam engine greatly

facilitated the removal of water and enabled shafts to

be made deeper, enabling more coal to be extracted.

Safety lamp of Humphry Devy


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SL

NO

SECTOR TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPEMENTS

5 Steam power

Development of stationary steam engine

low-lift combined vacuum and pressure water pump,

of Thomas Savery

Steam Powered Atmosphere Engine of Newcomens

Steam Engine of James Watt and Mathew Bolton

Beam Engine, Table Engine, Steam boats

higher pressure non-condensing steam engines

6 Machine tools Workshop lathe

Milling machine

Boring machine

Slotting machine

Shaping machine

Mass production- machines

Special purpose machines

7 Chemicals Lead chamber process to produce sulphuric acid in

large quantities by John Roebuck Le Blanc process by Nicolas Leblanc for production of

Alkali

.Development of bleaching powder by Charles Tennnat

Sintering , grinding process to produce portland

cement by Joseph Aspdin

8 Glass making cylinder process to produce glass

9 Papermachine

Fourdrinier machine for making a continuous sheet ofpaper on a loop of wire fabric by Nicholas Louis Robert

Table 1.3 Technological Developments during Industrial Revolution

Due to Industrial revolution people found increased employment opportunities in the new

factories and mills, but these were often under strict working conditions with long working


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hours. Industrialization led to the creation of the factory. The factory system was largely

responsible for the rise of the modern cities.

This period thoroughly destroyed the old manner of doing things. I new modern world has

began.Industrial Revolution was a major turning point in human history. It has influencedalmost every aspect of daily life .Industrial Revolution was an outburst of new inventions ..

Many inventions from this period are still used today.

The 19th century was called the age of machine tools. Machine tools making tools, parts and

machines itself. The assembly line was invented during the 19th century, speeding up the

factory production of consumer goods.

The period also gave birth to scientists, innovator, technocrats and entrepreneur making

technology based products .

1.6 SECOND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION:

The Second Industrial Revolution, also known as the Technological Revolution, was

corresponding to the period 1871-1914. The second industrial revolution is characterized by

many rapid developments in technology in fields like:

electrical, and chemical industries,

lighting, heating,

streetcars,

subways,

railroads,

new fertilizers, dyestuffs

synthetic fibers, and

the internal combustion engine.

The second Industrial Revolution saw deployment of electric power not only to provide light

or heat or run equipment but also develop new technology, processes and products. Electricity

helped in improving communications.

The telephone and telegraph were the first communicational devices developed during the

period. With the discovery of radio waves messages could be sent over long distances in


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practically no time. Discovery of radio active rays by Marie Curie led to development of X-

ray machines but also much later to Atomic Bomb.

New chemical products, vulcanised rubber, synthetic dyes, and Portland cement have changed

the many facets of life itself. Use of Petroleum increased and it was considered as an alternate

source of energy. Introduction of internal combustion engine made transportation faster.

Wright brothers successfully built and experimented the first airplane flight. This gave birth

to the airplane industry. The Industrial Revolution brought on more technology, wealth and

power.Developments in technology/product/ processes, important events during industrial

revolution period are given table 1.4 below in chronological order:

TIME LINE

1708 Jethro Tull's mechanical (seed) sower permits large-scale planting in

rows, for easier cultivation between the rows.1709 Abraham Darby uses coke to smelt iron ore, replacing wood and

charcoal as fuel.

1712 Thomas Newcomen builds first commercially successful steam

engine. Able to keep deep coal mines clear of water. First significantpowers source other than wind and water.

1733 John Kay's flying shuttle.

1758 First threshing machine.

1761 James Brindley's Bridgewater Canal opens. Barges carry coal fromWorsley to Manchester.

1765 James Hargreaves invents the spinning jenny, automating weaving

the warp (in the weaving of cloth).1769 Arkwright's "water" (powered) frame automates the weft.

1772 Bridgewater Canal extended to the Mersey, thus connecting with

Liverpool. Its success kicks off extensive canal construction ("canalmania").

1775 Watt's first efficient steam engine, much more efficient than theNewcomen.

1777 Grand Trunk Canal establishes a cross-England route connecting theMersey to the Trent and connecting the industrial Midlands to the

ports of Bristol, Liverpool, and Hull.1779 First steam powered mills. Crompton's "mule" combines Hargreaves'

and Arkwright's machines, fully automating the weaving process.1786 Arkwright puts a Watt engine in the Albion cotton mill, Blackfriars

Bridge, London.1787 Cartwright builds a power loom.

1789 Thames-Severn Canal links the Thames to the Bristol Channel.

1792 William Murdock (James Watt's assistant) lights his home with coal

gas.1793 Eli Whitney develops his cotton gin (a device to clean raw cotton).

1803 Thomas Telford builds his two great iron aqueducts, over the Deeand the Cierog valleys.


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1801 Robert Trevithick demonstrates a steam locomotive.

1803-

22Caledonian Ship Canal cuts clear across Scotland via the Great Glen.

1807 Robert Fulton's Clermont first successful steamboat.

1821 Faraday demonstrates electro-magnetic rotation, the principle of the

electric motor.1825 Marc Brunel invents a tunnelling shield, making sub aqueoustunnelling possible.

1826-

42Brunel builds the first sub aqueous tunnel, under the Thames.

1827 Berkeley Ship Canal connects Sharpness (on the Severn) toGloucester.

1830 ManchesterLiverpool railway begins first regular commercial railservice.

1831 Faraday discovers electro-magnetic current, making possiblegenerators and electric engines.

1834 Charles Babbage develops his analytic engine--the forerunner of thecomputer.

1837 Morse develops the telegraph and Morse Code.

1838 Daguerre perfects the Daguerrotype.

1839 Fox Talbot introduces photographic paper.1843 Great Britain--first large, iron, screw-propelled steamship.

1844 Commercial use of Morse's telegraph (Baltimore to Washington).1846 Pneumatic tire patented.

1849 Monier develops reinforced concrete.1850 Petrol (gasoline) refining first used.

1851 Singer invents first practical sewing machine.1854 Bessemer invents steel converter.

1855 Regius Chair of Technology founded at Edinburgh.

1856 W.H. Perkin produces aniline dyes, permitting brightly coloured

cottons.1858 First Trans-Atlantic Cable completed.

1859 Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species Edwin Drake strikes oil inPennsylvania. Etienne Lenoir demonstrates the first successful

gasoline engine.

1860 Science degrees at University of London.

1863 Siemens-Martin open-hearth process (along with the Bessemerconverter) makes steel available in bulk. Steel begins to replace iron

in building: steel framing and reinforced concrete make possible"curtain-wall" architecture--i.e. the skyscraper.

1867 Alfred Nobel produces dynamite, the first high explosive that can besafely handled.

1873 Christopher Sholes invents the Remington typewriter. James ClerkMaxwell states the laws of electro-magnetic radiation.

1876 Bell invents the telephone.

1877 Edison invents the phonograph.

1878 Microphone invented.1879 Edison invents the incandescent lamp.


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1883 First skyscraper (ten stories) in Chicago. The Brooklyn Bridge opens.

This large suspension bridge, built by the Roeblings (father and son),is a triumph of engineering.

1884 Maxim invents the machine gun, making possible mass slaughter andbeginning the mechanization of warfare.

1885 Benz develops first automobile to run on internal- combustion

engine.1888 Hertz produces radio waves.1892 Rudolf Diesel invents diesel engine.

1895 Lumire brothers develop Cinematograph Roentgen discovers X-rays.

1896 Marconi patents wireless telegraph.1897 Joseph Thomson discovers particles smaller than atoms.

1899 Aspirin invented.

1900 First Zeppelin built.

1901 Marconi transmits first trans-Atlantic radio message (from CapeCod).

1903 Wright brothers make first powered flight.1908 Henry Ford mass-produces the Model T.

From http://library.thinkquest.org/C0116084/IR2.htm

The idea of third Industrial Revolution has been almost since post cold war. Lot of literature

on third industrial revolution is available. In Us well known economist Jeremy Rifkinhas

been pioneer in developing the concept. However there are different meaning, time frame and

perspective attached to this concept. Post 70s unprecedented changes have taken place in

technology, business, economy and society. There has been a revolution in communication

technology. Information Technology (IT) has great influence on our personal life and on

business processes. New breakthrough technologies like BT, Nano technology are post war

developments. Pilot less war plane a concept during second war has been put to use by USA

through well known Drone (pilotless bombers) attacks. In future countries have to work

together for issues like sustainability, development of technology addressing the issues of

environment, ecology, energy crisis.

1.7 TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT


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Gerald H Gaynor the famous author of Handbook on Technology Management has provided a

comprehensive definition of technology management as given below:

Managing Technology is a method of operation that leverages human resources, technology

and other business assets by optimizing the relationships between the technology functions of

the business enterprise. It is the process of integrating science, engineering and managing

with research, development and manufacturing in order to meet the operational goals of the

business unit effectively, efficiently and economically. It includes managing the totality of the

technology operations from concept through commercialization.

Thus the scope of technology management is quite vast and requires an integrated approach

involving various functions.

Technology management can be defined in the same manner as any other management

function. following are the functions of management:

Planning

Organizing

Staffing

Implementing

Controlling/Evaluation

If we consider the above function in context of technology, it becomes Technology

Management. .In other words technology management can be defined as a process of

Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Implementing and Monitoring/Evaluation technology to

achieve the stated objectives..

1.8 FUNCTIONS OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT:

Technology Management embraces many functions which are interrelated to each other and

are specialized. Some of the functions of Technology Management are show in the diagram

1.3 below. These functions will be discussed in subsequent units.


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TECHNOLOGY

POLICY

TECHNOLOGYFORECASTING

TECHNOLOGY

STRATEGY

R & D MANAGEMENT

TECHNOLOGY

ABSORPTION/DIFFUSION

TECHNOLOGYACQUISITION

TECHNOLOGYTRANSFER

FUNCTIONS OF

TECHNOLOGYMANAGEMENT

TECHNOLOGYPOLICY

TECHNOLOGY

ASSESSMENT

IPR(INTELLECTUALPROPERTY RIGHTS)

MANAGEMENT


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Diagram 1.4 Functions of Technology Management

1. 9 SIGNIFICANCE OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT:

Management of technology is of critical significance to the organizations operating inglobalized and competitive business environment. Technology is unavoidable and inescapable.

In a competitive business environment only those organizations survive who focus their

efforts towards customer satisfaction. Accordingly all business processes are reengineered

towards customer satisfaction. Meeting customer requirement is the basic to satisfy customers.

Customer requirement in generic terms can be stated as following:

Quality: Customer wants better and more in quality. Customer expects more features

and better performance of existing features. One of the examples is cell phones. Over

the years quality in terms of features and performance is showing rapid

improvements.

Delivery: Customers expect faster delivery ie delivery in lesser time period.

Variety: Customer expects more and more variety in the products/services. The

manufacturer should be able to design /develop more and more products and

introduce tem in the market quickly.

Service: Customer will ideally like to have product without need of any service

during its lifetime.

Cost: Customer would like to have all above and more but is unwilling to pay

anything for it. On the contrary the customers expect the prices to reduce.

Technology is the most potent weapon by which an organization can achieve above. By a

systematic and planned approach for managing technology, an organization can bring about

INNOVATION

MANAGEMENT


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drastic improvement in performance, which may not be possible otherwise. By proper

decisions on managing technology an organization can achieve following:

Faster and economic design

Better quality of products

Increased sales

Better customer satisfaction

Higher profits

Higher value

Lesser costs

Better resource utilization

Lesser throughput time

Higher customer service and more

Besides by proper management of IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) an organization can

increase its revenue substantially and ward off competition. Effective management of

Technology Development would facilitate higher success of high-tech products on launch.

1.8.1 Product Technology:

Product technology is concerned with application of technology in the product/services. This

involves creating a product/service by using technology to fulfill customer need. Sony, after

extensive research developed an innovative product, Headphone stereo Walkman TPS-L2 and

launched in 1979 introduced. Sonys LCD and 3D Television are also examples of application

of technology for creating products. Similar example is introduction of NANO car by Tata

Motors. As we know this was worlds first low cost car with an innovative design. Another

example of product technology is popular car Model T developed several decades earlier.More than 3 million cars of model T were sold.

Penicillinis the first antibiotic drug for treatment of diseases caused by microbes.. Without

penicillin, 75% of the people now alive would not be alive because their parents or

grandparents would have died due to bacterial infections. The effects of a drug like this are

absolutely mind-boggling. This is one of the excellent example of application of technology


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leading to new breakthrough product. Before penicillin, if one had a serious infection, he

would simply die.

Newer antibiotic for all the three gram positive, gram negative and both( broad spectrum) are

being developed. These are necessarily as a response to immunity of earlier antibiotic drugs

due to excessive consumption and reduction in side effects.

Patients with advanced diabetic cant use the energy stored in their bodies Their bodies stop

making a hormone known as insulin. It is needed to convert sugar into energy.

Canadian researchers Frederick Grant Banting, MD, and Charles Best, first identified insulin

in 1921. In 1922, a Canadian patient received the first successful treatment with insulin

extracted from an animal.

Insulin has completely changed the lives of diabetes patients. Swann says. People with

diabetes didn't have much chance for a long life. Insulin has made the life better for he

diabetics.

Smallpox is one of the most dreaded diseases. Due to development of small pocks vaccination,

smallpox is the first disease wiped from the face of the earth. And so is the case of polio

which is on the verge of being the second scourge to be eliminated.

1.8.2 Process Technology:

Process technology is concerned with How to make a product. You might have read in theunit examples technological development during industrial revolution.

For exampleJohn Roebuck development of a new technology for manufacturing of sulfuric

acid called Lead chamber process. By using the process sulfuric acid in large

quantities could be produced at lesser cost.

Similarly Nicolas Leblanc developed Le Blanc process by for production of Alkali in

large quantities. In these cases the product in terms of attributes, features have not

changed but new technology of making these products was deployed. Application

of technology in processes results have following benefits:

Reduced processing time

Better quality/reduced rejections

Lesser cost

Less fatigue, efforts


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Better Safety

An organization should constantly improve its processes by application of technology. At the

same time based on need constantly improve its products. Organizations need to be proactive

rather than reactive to face the challenges of competition.

1.9 SUMMARY:

In the unit we started with understanding of technology. Technology has become integral and

essential part of not only businesses and life. In todays business environment, poor

technology management can be certainly a reason of failure of businesses. On the contrary

Technology itself is a competitive advantage for many organizations. It considers using

technology in all processes to design a product o service, to manufacture a product, to make

product/service available so as to increase profits, satisfy customers, increase business and

stay competitive .Technology is human innovation that involves the application or generation

of knowledge or processes to develop systems that solve problems or extend human

capability. Technology is a broad concept that deals with a species' usage and knowledge of

tools and crafts, and

how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt to its environment. Technology has three

major aspects which are interrelated and mutually reinforcing. These aspects are: products

and services, human activities that create these products and services and skills/capabilities

that enable technical activities. Historical development of technology is the history of

development of man from cave in forest to a urban city. For convenience the development is

classified into seven periods in sequence. The Industrial Revolution was a period from 1760-

1850, of major changes taking place in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation,

and technology . The industrial revolution had a profound effect on the social, economic and

cultural conditions. It began in UK, then subsequently spread throughout Western Europe,

North America, Japan, and eventually the world.The Industrial Revolution marks a major turning point in human history; almost every aspect

of daily life was influenced in some way. Most notably, average income and population began

to exhibit unprecedented growth. During the period too many products and processes were

developed leading to high productivity, mass production, lesser cost and customer delight.

The Second Industrial Revolution, also known as the Technological Revolution, was

corresponding to the period 1871-1914. The second industrial revolution is characterized by


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many rapid developments in technology in fields like: electrical, and chemical industries,

lighting, heating etc. The second Industrial Revolution saw deployment of electric power not

only to provide light or heat or run equipment but also develop new technology, processes

and products.

Electricity helped in improving communications. Technology Management embraces manyfunctions which are interrelated to each other and are specialized.

We discussed in brief the meaning of technology management and understood its significance

in context of customer satisfaction. In the end we briefly stated meaning of product and

process technology with examples.

1.10 KEY WORDS

Technology: Technology is a broad concept that deals with a species' usage and knowledge

of tools and crafts, and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt to its environment

Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution was a period from 1760-1850, of major

changes taking place in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology

Technology Management: Managing Technology is a method of operation that leverages

human resources, technology and other business assets by optimizing the relationships

between the technology functions of the business enterprise.

. It is the process of integrating science, engineering and managing with research,

development and manufacturing in order to meet the operational goals of the business unit

effectively, efficiently and economically.

Product Technology: Product technology is concerned with application of technology in the

product/services. This involves creating a product/service by using technology to fulfill

customer need.

1.11 SELF -ASSESSMENT QUESTION


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1.12 SUGGESTED READING:

1 Gerard H. Gaynor, 1996, Handbook of Technology Management , McGraw-Hill

Professional;

2 late T. S. Ashton and Pat Hudson ( 1998)The Industrial Revolution, 1760-1830

Oxford University Press,

3 Norma Harrison and Danny Samson, 2001, Technology Management :Text and

International Cases,McGraw-Hill/Irwin;

4 V K Nrayanana 2009, Managing Technology and Innovation for Competitive

Advantage, Pearson Education

5 Burgelman R.A. et al., 2001, Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation,

McGraw-Hill.

6 Bhalla, S.K., 1987, The Effective Management of Technology, Batelle Press, UK.

.

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