Globalization, Flexibility and Competitiveness: A Technology Management Perspective

The process of globalization has created waves of change, leading to higher adaptiveness and responsiveness on the part of industry. Flexibility at various levels of management has emerged as a key factor for global competitiveness. From a strategic viewpoint, technology management covering various facets of the life cycle generates flexibility and competitiveness, thereby facilitating the process of globalization. There are thirty-two chapters in the book dealing with diverse aspects of globalization, flexibility and competitiveness from a technology management perspective. These chapters are organised in five parts. Part I on "Globalization and competitiveness" covers the issues such as global or international competitiveness, technological competitiveness, core competence, technology led globalization and transition from closed market to world-class. Part II on "Strategic technology management" deals with the important issues in strategic technology management such as collaborations, technology transfer, information systems planning, ethos in technology management and a typical experience. Part III on "Management of innovation and R&D"deals with some important issues such as concurrent engineering, technology upgradation, ergonomics, university-industry R&D synergy and a sectoral experience. Part IV on "Business aspects of technology management"deals with interfacing business and management issues such as technology financing, commercialiasation of new technology, technology marketing, information economy, technology prioritisation, cross cultural teams and quality grid. Part V on "Flexibility and strategy" covers some specific concerns of flexibility and strategy such as flexibility in technology management, integrated manufacturing strategies, evaluating technological options, process flexibility and productivity, flexible systems methodology and complexity and chaos. The book is the third volume in the "Flexible Systems Management Series" and is intended to provide a good collection of readings on the theme of globalization, flexibility and competitiveness in general and technology management as an aid to this in particular.