ABSTRACT
Technology transfer involves transfer of management technologies as well as product and process technologies. What management technologies are important depend on the surrounding business and society conditions. There is a wide range of business and society conditions in which companies make decisions about technology transfer. This chapter is concerned with these broader issues of technology transfer. Section 5.1 is particularly concerned with what is the scope of production management. Section 5.2 introduces the idea of the product life cycle and what management technologies and manufacturing strategies are most appropriate at different stages of the cycle. Technology transfer between companies and countries is a way to make the best and most profitable use of finite resources. It depends on the state of development of both companies and their strategic views of their places in the market. What is appropriate technology transfer is the subject of Section 5.3.
