The polytrophic components of manufacturing technology

Abstract

The role of management of technology in the context of achieving competitiveness and development has become a matter of global interest. One of the problems hindering effective management of technology is the tendency to treat technology as a “black box.” For the effective management of technology it is imperative that a clear and practical working definition of technology is first established. This paper is attempt to meet this need and initially traces the various perspectives that have, over time, shaped the various definitions of technology that are currently in use. It is pointed out that the four-component definition of technology — technoware, humanware, inforware, and orgaware—that fall under the “technology as embodiment forms” perspective appears to have the most value in terms of opening up the “technology black box.” An indepth explanation of the nature and structure of the four components of technology, in the context of manufacturing technology, is provided along with further elaborations to help operationalize the concept of the four components. A revised and more detailed definition of the four components of manufacturing technology is then arrived at. The term polytrophic is used by bacteriologists to refer to organisms that derive nourishment from more than one source. It is pointed out that the four components of technology display polytrophic properties because of their ability to develop through their interaction with one another. The proposed detailed definition is thus referred to as the “polytrophic” components of technology. It is pointed out that the “polytrophic” components of technology definition can be used to obtain fresh insights into technological sophistication, technology content of production activities, technology transfer, and technology capability development. Its usefulness in examining the scope of different technology transfer mechanisms is briefly outlined.