Global management of technology: A study of 16 multinationals in the USA Europe and Japan

With technology having become a key factor in national survival, top managers in the USA, Europe and Japan overwhelmingly rank ‘leveraging of technology for competitive advantage’ the primary challange their companies face. Technology is one of the key competitive tools at the command of the winners—and the losers—in today's market-place. Ultimately, however, the most important competitive weapon may prove to be the skilful management and deployment of technology resources rather than the resources themselves. The management oj technology on a global scale has therefore become an issue of great importamce to leading technology forms. This article presents an approach to formulating an R&D deployment strategy for a global technology network, based on a study of 16 multinationlas in the USA, Europe and Japan.