The Importance of Technology in Small and Medium-Size Firms: Some Evidence from the Manufacturing Sector

Despite a growing interest in the import ance of technology management, relatively little research has addressed technology issu es from the persp ective of small and medium enterprises. This paper uses data from a national study of manufacturing firms to examine the factors associated with perceptions of the importance of technology. The results suggest that a variety of factors, such as innovation strategy, organizational restructuring, cu tbacks in capital investment, and human resource management practices are associated with res pondent perceptions of the importance of technology.