Technology Adoption by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Thailand - An Operational Test of a Technology Evaluation and Delivery System (Phase II)
Date
1995-02
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Abstract
The Government of Thailand recognizes the essential role played by small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) in the development and growth of the economy. Accordingly, the Thai
government has established a priority of improving SME competitiveness in certain key sectors,
including textile dyeing, textile finishing, and garment manufacturing. A significant first step
toward this objective is to improve the process by which SMEs select and adopt new
technologies 1
.
This report describes a two-phase, five-year project designed to develop and test a process by
which SMEs can identify and introduce technologies into their operations. The ultimate goal of
this endeavour was and is to put into place a technology delivery system that will react to the
unique needs of individual SMEs, to strengthen their economic viability and, ultimately, to
enhance the productive capacity of Thailand.
The technology system that has been developed during this project depends, for its success, on
providing SMEs with access to the existing resources and expertise from a wide range of
institutions, both private and government sectors. This approach may be seen as ambitious in
that it calls for certain changes in the behaviours of existing organizations. The test described
in this report suggests that such an objective is both doable and effective.
The process logistics for the design and development of the proposed technology delivery system
are presented in Figure 1. This figure also serves as the organizational framework for the
project.
Description
Appendices included
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IDRC Final Report
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Keywords
THAILAND, MEDIUM ENTERPRISES, TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, TEXTILE INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITY, ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE, OPERATIONS RESEARCH, FACTORY ORGANIZATION, OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH