Technology management process: Impact analysis of research and development support programme of TÜBİTAK

Technology, positioned as the driving force behind economic growth and sustainable development, also serves as a source of competitive advantage for businesses. However, most technology investments have not led to the desired outcomes for businesses. The reasons for this include the rapid pace of technological development, increased competition, high costs of technology investment, incorrect identification of technology needs and acquisition methods, and insufficient technology infrastructure and lack of skilled workers. To achieve strategic and operational goals, survive and thrive, and gain a competitive edge, businesses must strategically manage technology. The literature indicates a lack of adopted frameworks for practical applications in technology management and highlights the need for activities and a set of tools that would facilitate the decision-making process. Accordingly, the aim of this dissertation is to identify, in a comprehensive, understandable, and applicable manner, the activities businesses can follow and the most suitable tools they can utilize in the technology management process. In this context, a two-stage research process was conducted. In the first stage, after an extensive literature review, in-depth interviews were held with 70 participants consisting of managers responsible for technology in large and SME-sized businesses, researchers working in the field of technology at universities, and experts designing technology programs in the public sector. As a result of the analysis, the activities and the most suitable tools were identified for businesses to follow and benefit from in the technology management process. However, since it was not possible to determine whether the identified activities and tools are truly effective on the technology management process of businesses with these findings, it was decided to continue the research. An impact analysis was conducted on the administrative records of 985 SMEs in the National Entrepreneurship Information System database, which holds reliable and multi-year data of more than 3 million businesses, using big data analysis methods. The findings indicate that technology management tools positively affect businesses in transitioning to technology-intensive production, increasing sales, skilled employment, and intellectual property assets, starting exports, and developing cost-reducing technologies. It is expected to provide solutions that will facilitate the easier understanding, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation of the technology management activities and the most suitable technology management tools to be used while performing these activities, thereby assisting practitioners in making more effective decisions in the technology management process.