Managing and implementing technical innovations

Abstract

A survey of selected South African companies? was conducted (included in the appendix) to gauge the status of management and implementation of INNOVATION, SEW TECHNOLOGIES and CHANGE. The dissertation considers management of technology as a profession which overlaps with engineering and business management. A summary of information gathered from the literature and the author's experience is presented. The dissertation covers education at secondary and tertiary levels, supports a dual promotion scale in a company, looks at how to deal with Hedgers and defines the Champions and Assassins of change. Market dimensions with respect to technology are considered and incremental changes are proposed. Measures are given to determine how technically progressive a company might be. The concept of "company within a company" is discussed and joint ventures between small and large companies are proposed. The importance of monitoring is stressed and the post innovation idea is presented. Points to consider when implementing a change are listed. These include cross-fertilisation of ideas between departments and cooperating institutions. Simple and focused innovations are-the most effective