Technological and economic challenges - research and technology management in mechanical engineering firms in the European Community

The characterization of the mechanical engineering sector as one of specialized suppliers implies the necessity of customer-oriented R&D activities and a strong need to cooperate and communicate especially with customers. Although there is a specific pattern of the management of technology in mechanical engineering, differences lie in the varying emphasis placed on technology strategy; mechanical engineering firms manage technological and economic challenges differently due to the individual predominant technology strategy, the size of firm, the type of market, and the complexity of products. Problems of technology management in European mechanical engineering firms are identified and opportunities of acting are pointed out depending on different categories of enterprises. The results presented in this paper are based on an analysis of literature and on more than fifty interviews conducted in mechanical engineering firms throughout the EC.