Alignment of Technology Management Strategy and Business Strategy: a case study

The knowledge era has changed business' approaches towards strategy planning and implementation. Research has been done in the alignment of technology strategies with business strategies, albeit up to certain levels in large organisations, in certain continents and countries and in certain industries. The objective of this research is to evaluate whether Technology Management tools and methods are generally utilised in the mining supply industry, as well as whether these tools and methods are aligned with business strategies for future planning. A case study was undertaken of a company that is a developer and manufacturer of high quality, application-specific process equipment and solutions, with its main client stated as the mining industry. Results indicates that TM tools are not utilised on a very formal basis. The influence of TM tools' usage on future technology strategy planning is mostly described by the term 'informally influenced'. A well balanced alignment between the TM tools and methods with the business strategy elements are reported. Respondents are aware of the importance of technology and the need to have a more formal technology strategy. The effect on future alignment choices showed a focus that remained on innovations, but leaning more towards sustainability. Limitations were noted and further research recommendations proposed.