When Technology meant Manufacturing Technology

My first book `Management of Technology Change' was written in 1994, the beginning of Liberalisation & Globalisation. Information Technology was still not a popular term and Technology was generally referred to as Manufacturing Technology. 

For decades, the industry has managed technology change by importing technology (as available) from joint venture partners. Despite policymakers hoping the Indian Industry would follow MITI Japanese model- import technology, absorb the technology, and later improve the technology to export it, our industry is struck in the first phase of technology import. Technology obsolescence is pervasive and India was least prepared to face global competition when the gates were open. Adding to the pain, the joint venture partners abandoned Indian partners to start their own subsidies.

This book looked at the fundamentals- 

• What constitutes manufacturing technology?
• How to manage changes in technology?
• How Firm Specific Knowledge enhances Technological Capabilty?

Manufacturing Technology (Industry 4.0) is now on the policy horizon.  Are we repeating the mistake of managing new digital technology like in 70's and 80's with imports of capital goods and software, without calibrated Technological Capability enhancement?