Technology scanning in high-tech SMEs /
Files
(Published version)
Date
2010
Authors
Pednekar, Dilip,
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
thesis
Citation
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the main contributors to the international economy and commerce. SMEs contribute significantly to wealth creation in industrial economies and are a major driver of innovation and plays a significant role in global markets by employing around two-thirds of the world’s workforce. SMEs have limited resources and therefore their existence depends on how they overcome technology limitations and upgrade themselves with the latest technology. They are unique and quite different from bigger firms, especially regarding availability of resources. For whatever reasons, undertaking adequate technology surveillance and monitoring always poses challenges to SMEs.
This thesis focuses on the ability of manufacturing SMEs operating in high-tech areas such as computing equipment, medical electronics, bio-tech, advance material, telecommunication and IT, Instrumentation etc to undertake adequate technology surveillance. Owing to various reasons and constraints on resources, technology becomes critical for SMEs, especially for firms operating in high-tech areas. The challenge for high tech small firms is to remain innovative and competitive as they grow and respond to the changing environment. Therefore information availability is a crucial factor. Past research has indicated that hightech SMEs significantly differ from general SMEs with respect to their external connectivity. It is crucial for a high-tech SMEs to monitor its technology environment. On the one hand, technology change is rapid and the environment is dynamic, and on the other there is an ever increasing amount of information available owing to advances in information technology in general. Therefore they should not only remain flexible but also should be able to respond to a changing external environment. It is crucial to respond effectively and efficiently to the information available.
This drives us to the topic of interest: technology surveillance activity in high-tech SMEs, particularly technology uncertainty faced by owner-managers. This thesis aims to derive insights into the entire process associated with technology surveillance and information networks in high-tech SMEs. We cannot blindly apply methodologies and frameworks developed for large firms to small firms. We need to look at specific methodologies and tools for small firms. Previous literature is not very conclusive on technology scanning processes in high-tech SMEs. In a broader sense, my study has taken a holistic view of the technology scanning process in high-tech SMEs and underpinned various constructs and their relationships. This thesis provides insights into the approaches used by high-tech SMEs to keep them abreast of emerging technologies and how to optimise these activities.
The research uses qualitative approach to answer the three main research questions. Analysis of relevant research literature was carried out to understand various constructs and the relationship and theoretical perspectives underpinning the technology scanning process. The semi-structured interviews and focus group were used to capture the data. This ensured that data collection was rich in context based on owner-managers’ experiences, interpretation, insights and understanding of the situation. This thesis explored and studied technology scanning in high-tech SMEs, particularly the new perspective of scanning in a highly turbulent environment, and then proposed a theoretical model. This study not only gives a better insight of the scanning process but also suggests new ways of looking at the technology scanning process. It provides understanding on ‘success’ or ‘failure’ of technology scanning in high-tech SMEs. The study was able to identify those factors which make technology scanning effective in high-tech SMEs.
School/Discipline
University of South Australia. International Graduate School of Business
International Graduate School of Business
International Graduate School of Business
Dissertation Note
Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2010.
Provenance
Copyright 2010 Dilip Pednekar. This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs Australia 3.0 licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/au/)
Description
xvi, 229 leaves :
illustrations (some colour).
Includes bibliographic references (pages 205-215).
illustrations (some colour).
Includes bibliographic references (pages 205-215).
Access Status
506 0#$fstar $2Unrestricted online access