Determining technology strategy in developing countries

Technology has added a new dimension to strategic thinking in an international context. Developing countries are subject to the same global pressures as their developed counterparts, but have the additional burden of dealing with domestic conditions which place them at a significant, and perhaps, insurmountable disadvantage. This does not absolve managers from formulating technology policies that can best make their firms competitive. The research described in this paper studies issues in technology strategy confronting managers in developing countries, with specific reference to South Africa. The country has a developing economy, while exhibiting characteristics found in developed countries. South Africa's history presents its managers with challenges not encountered elsewhere, but the country provides a model for other developing countries. The paper examines the perceptions of a sample of South African managers regarding technology strategy in a manufacturing environment. The importance of different factors in formulating technology policy is studied in relation to the extent to which managers are able to control these variables. An importance-control grid framework is used to identify critical parameters and to assess how these can be managed in a complex environment.