Why schools matter : a global comparison of Master of Technology Management Curriculum / Maria Aileen S. Baylon

Year : 2009

Number of Pages : 69 leaves

Adviser : Prof. Edison D. Cruz

Executive Summary

Most of the developed nations have pioneered the innovative concepts and techniques in the field of education. Different universities and academic institutions from the developing world stand to benefit from the advances employed by the developed world institutions. The technology management education can be an immense importance in boosting the economic and industrial growth of any country. This paper is intended to form an analysis by reviewing twelve (12) technology management programs from different universities all over the world and presenting a detailed analysis of the programs mentioned. The analysis is based on course offerings at private and public sector universities all over the world. It reviews the background of the program, the pedagogical foundations, and the purpose and scope of the program. The goals are to : 1) provide an accurate view of the current state of technology management education by describing existing programs with meaningful terms and definitions, and 2) clarify the significant similarities and differences of such programs. The evaluation was conducted using a self-administered online search of universities and schools offering Technology Management program. Once the schools were selected, the paper used 2 approaches in trying to settle the question whether there are significant differences between the Technology Management programs. The first approach used is the top-down approach which involves arriving at a generally agreed-on definition of the subject or at a consensus on the capabilities that graduates in the discipline must have, and then using these definitions to determine whether there are significant differences. The second approach to complement the top-down would be the bottom-up which involves an empirical analysis of the structure of the actual degree programs that various universities offer at this point in time. In particular, this analysis asks, "Are there noticeable similarities in the structure of the actual TM programs that different institutions currently offer and, if so, are there major differences between those program?" The outcome of this effort was a recognition of a common theoretical framework, which linked these university programs to each other as well as to technology management trends in the industries they serve. Findings related to differences, trends, curriculum developments, staffing, program implementation, and program emphases are examined. This paper sets the foundation for future research focusing on improving technology management curricula for business and technology schools alike in the developing countries like the Philippines. Several recommendations can be advanced for universities considering initiating or further developing their MOT program.