Management and Technology Life Cycle: Bulgarian Case Study on the Technology of Counter-pressure Casting

Djarova, J., Nachev, G., Nenov, I., & Tonchev, T. (1987). Management and Technology Life Cycle: Bulgarian Case Study on the Technology of Counter-pressure Casting. IIASA Working Paper. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: WP-87-088

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Abstract

At IIASA, several researchers have studied and described the cumulative nature of development of technologies and their substitution, using global and macro-economic data. Those processes have their "fine micro-structure" which is interesting and valuable for one country as a whole or for individual companies. Studying this micro-structure can permit us to connect global theory with processes taking place on the micro-level and, based on that, to make recommendations to decision-makers to permit them to select instruments for analyzing and synthesizing their strategy.

Small countries often have limited resources (either natural or financial or even both). However, they always have limited human resources which should be used effectively and purposefully. Today, technological developments even outside the sphere of so-called high-tech are very intensive scientifically and intellectually. This once more increases the necessity for small countries to concentrate their scientific human potential in areas in which they can make break-throughs with high economic efficiency. From this point, positioning technological innovations correctly in the international market and forecasting their competitiveness are very important. A picture of the possible future development of a technological innovation gives the small countries and their companies the opportunity to spot market niches and to develop effective strategies for their fulfillment.

The application of life cycle theory and use of substitution curves as possible management instruments for strategy development on company level is one of the main goals of the research currently being carried out in Bulgaria under the contract with IIASA's "Management of the Technological Life Cycle" (MTL) activity, part of the "Technology-Economy-Society" (TES) program.

The research in Bulgaria is being conducted by the Problem Center "Management of Technological Development" through the Institute for Social Management and has broader goals in the area. These goals are directed towards enhancing instruments for strategic management on company level and methods for accelerating technological development.

The Bulgarian study is directed to three main groups of technologies (irrespective of branch of industry): a) original Bulgarian technologies with possibilities on international market; b) new technologies transferred from other countries; and c) traditional mature technologies. Structuring the research in this way not only avoids certain drawbacks inherent in research based on particular characteristics of industrial branches (namely the questionable validity of results and lack of transferability of those results to other branches of industry). It also permits researchers to study the dynamics of these technologies and the dynamics of organizational and management characteristics of the companies independent of branch specification, according to the type of technology described and the degree of its development.

In the paper presented, some results of the first stage of the study are discussed. The objects of this first stage are several original Bulgarian technologies. The case study presented here concerns the technology of counter-pressure casting. This original Bulgarian technology is part of a group of technologies based on the method of casting with counter-pressure developed by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The company under study is an interesting integration of a basic research institute, with applied research and production functions.

Preliminary results based only on aluminum casting technology are presented in this paper. This method is also being applied to plastic and steel casting technologies which will be addressed in the second stage of the study.

Variables and indicators through which technology is studied are developed within the MTL activity, but for the purposes of national study have been adapted, increased in number, and developed according to the specific requirements of a centrally planned economy by the Bulgarian national team.

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