Strategic Technology Management As A Causality To South African Company Performance

Abstract

Cutting edge technology management goes beyond basic research and development (R&D). Increasingly, corporate strategists are making a more precise distinction between “technology” and “technology management.” The main purpose of this study was to develop an empirically derived classification system (taxonomy) for sustaining industry leadership, through the relationships that exist between technology and innovation strategy, technology management and company performance. A non-probability, judgment sample of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) were taken. Seminal research studies were used to identify a set of technology strategy, technology management and innovation strategy dimensions. Four distinct technology factors obtained with the analysis, were proved to positively influence the company performance dimensions and were classified as Control Market Planning, Product Development Intensity, R&D Commitment and Technology Focus factors. As a result a conceptual model has been developed to demonstrate the integrated properties of this new proposed taxonomy of technology and innovation. The results show that strategic technology management choices can significantly affect company performance.