Change and learning in technology management: totems, toys, traps and transmogrification

Technology management is both a planned strategy and an emergent process. To integrate both, technology and the management of technology may be contemplated from a four-point metaphorical structure-technology as totem, technology as toy, technology as trap, and technology as transmogrification. A totem is an emblem held in respect and symbolizing hope; a toy is an object for play, entertainment, and learning; a trap is an encounter with the unforeseen, unexpected, concealed danger or disaster; transmogrification is to change into a different shape or form. Working from this four component symbolic structure as an evolutionary paradigm, and incorporating a variety of current and historic illustrative examples, this manuscript uses organizational change, planned strategy, organizational learning and management process perspectives to explore the consequences of technology, including information technology, and technology management to suggest new avenues of understanding, learning, and evolution. Suggestions are made regarding benefits that result from this perspective