Perceptions of Factors Influencing Knowledge-based Technology Management in Conflict Areas
A challenge for developing countries is to enter the global economy. This is impeded by weak infrastructure, poor educational and other formidable barriers as these countries embark on essential projects to improve living standards and ultimately create some sort of technological base. This chapter describes perceptions of knowledge-based technology management in Afghanistan, one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Afghanistan’s politics and history have always confronted managers with unique demands. The chapter examines the perceptions of Afghan managers regarding technology management by studying the relationship between the importance of different factors in managing new technology, and the extent to which a manager can control them. An importance-control grid framework is used to isolate individual parameters and to assess these in relation to a manager’s environment. The research highlights imbalances between importance and control, and suggests reasons therefore. Some broader implications for managers are also discussed.