Abstract
Strategic technology management (STM) approach, which places technology in a strategic context, emerged in the late eighties in response to failure of more traditional techniques for exploiting technology. STM in this study included aspects of both technology strategy (content) and technology management (process). Many studies in strategic management research have investigated the relationship between technology strategy, technology management and firm performance, but largely from a western viewpoint. The dramatic increase in cost of producing goods and services in the midst of ever increasing cost of oil and other raw materials places huge pressure on the economies of newly developing countries. Unless there is a shift in the mind set of the senior executives whereby technology management is alleviated at the business level, performance enhancements can not be achieved. This study analyses the gap in literature where there is paucity of studies in analysing STM application in the countries in the East. A conceptual framework has been proposed for both the manufacturing and services sectors in Bahrain. The framework is based on the results achieved by a similar study by the author in a developing country in SE Asia. The paper proposes certain hypotheses, which need to be tested. The survey instrument comprises of unique new variables developed by the author which need to be explored and determine which of these could contribute to performance. The conceptual model would then be modified to develop a STM model for Bahrain. The results of the research could then be used by the National Policy Planners to develop specific technology policies for the manufacturing and services sector. This would be one of the first attempts in Bahrain to manage change using STM based on the research carried out in a global context.