Management: Technology

Whether you plan to work for a technology company or not, an understanding of how technology contributes to commercial success is useful for anyone planning a successful management career.

For some time there has been a realisation among technology companies that they need to make their products more user-friendly. Few managers need to understand exactly how a piece of equipment or a software programme works - but it is increasingly important that they understand how it be used to maximum effect.

Technology and innovation management courses are designed to enable managers to make sound business decisions based on an understanding of how technology fits into the process of reducing costs, improving quality and/or increasing responsiveness to customer demands for new and improved products and services.

Enterprise Ireland supports a number of training programmes under its Innovation Management Initiative. The objectives of this initiative are to increase the innovation performance (both technical and non-technical) of Irish based companies; increase the number of companies undertaking R&D for the first time; improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the innovation and R&D process in those companies already undertaking R&D; and achieve value added R&D by capturing the creative potential of employees.

A key element of this process is the MSc in Technology Management, offered through the National Institute of Technology Management at UCD’s Smurfit School of Business.

As technology management is about making innovation central in the organisation, the MSc is designed for experienced managers and technical specialists who will be responsible for fostering innovation and managing the commercialisation process in technology intensive firms.

The programme focuses on the management of technological innovation for business advantage. It provides participants with a comprehensive skill set in developing the strategies, structures and systems needed for the effective commercialisation of new products and services, logistics, business systems and production processes

The course is available on a full or part time basis. The part time option runs over a two year period of two semesters each year. Five subjects are completed and examined each semester and students undertake a major project during the second year. The course takes
place on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

The full time programme is an intensive two-year programme run over the summer months. Ten subjects will be completed and examined each year and again, students undertake a major project during the second year. The course consists of 20 modules, foundation and electives.
These courses are also useful for people from a technical background who wish to develop a better understanding of the role of a manager.

‘One of the problems with the Irish technology industry is that, in general, good engineers are expected to make good managers without sufficient training,’ said Alan Buckley, director of Sipris Technologies. ‘The MSc in Technology Management has given me tools to deal with management problems, particularly in relation to organisational and financial decision making.’
As somebody from a purely technical background, Louis Corrigan of Mobile Cohesion admitted he had previously found it difficult to communicate with (or hold the attention of) non-technical people.

‘The MSc taught me a new language, through which I now can communicate with non-technical management. It has also helped to broaden my thought process and have a more holistic view of the research/development/marketing/sales process.’

The Atlantic University Alliance (AUA), a consortium of NUI, Galway, the University of Limerick and University College Cork offers the MSc in Technology Management as a distance learning masters programme on a part time basis. The course is designed to provide participants with an insight into the role of technology management within the Irish and international economy and aims to develop students’ knowledge of product innovation, technology transfer and research & development processes, explained programme director Nuala McGuinn.

‘This is a new and innovative programme providing education to a level of best international practice in technology management and provides a mutual benefit for both students and companies participating in the programme. By delivering the programme content through distance education, access is greatly improved and the interruption to a participant’s work is minimised,’ she says.

Entry requirements are a primary honours degree or equivalent and at least three years work experience, although in certain circumstances applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements may be admitted to the programme upon the successful completion of an interview.
Students are required to attend a tutorial or seminar on alternate months. Tutorials are organised at either NUIG, UL, UCC or the Institute of Technology Tallaght  Seminars take place at a central location, which to date has been Tullamore, Co. Offaly

A wide range of career opportunities are open to graduates of the programme in areas such as research and development, production and operations management, information systems and management consultancy. The programme is suited to a variety of industry sectors including services, biotechnology, manufacturing, healthcare and the public sector.

The MSc in Technology Management is approved by Enterprise Ireland for assistance under the Innovation Management Initiative. Participation fees of eligible companies may be subsidised by Enterprise Ireland at a rate of 70 per cent for SMEs and 50 per cent for non-SMEs. Eligible companies are those from manufacturing or internationally traded services sectors, who are clients of Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development, Údarás na Gaeltachta, IDA Ireland, or the City and County Enterprise Boards.