Proposing a Process Based Approach on Technology Planning at Supra- Corporation Level

Competitive challenges have made it a critical need for industries to identify and choose enabling future technologies; furthermore The importance of defining a direction for an industry and the necessity of prioritizing technological investments in different subsectors demonstrate the significance of technology planning at industry level. A survey at the researches conducted in the field of technology planning at industry level shows that the methodologies employed in most researches are either extended methods of technology planning at firm level or derived from a change in the framework of technology policy making at national level. In this paper, by adopting a qualitative approach and grounded theory method and using semi-structure interviews with 40 people of academic and industrial experts from oil & gas, auto making and aerospace industry we have presented a three-level model for technology planning at industry level. At the reference level, main guidelines of technology development are chosen, and at the portfolio level, technology area portfolios that best meet the main requirements of the system are defined. At the option level of the model, the technology options that have the potential to reach the desired functional goals are selected. In the following parts of the paper and after an analysis of the extended model, recommendations for further research are accordingly presented.