The integration of engineering and management in technology-based organizations: a three-dimensional approach

Summary form only given as follows. This paper presents a three-dimensional view of the integration of engineering and management in technology-based organizations. The management process is viewed in a different dimension or plane to the different engineering and business functions. Engineering management is a pervasive task that extends from the top or general management to the lowest level of supervision in the organization. There are at least five different levels in large-technology-based organizations, and the engineer may experience a number of shifts from a primary shift of a technical specialist to supervisor or leader of a small team, to secondary and other shifts to top or senior management. At each of these levels, different managerial skills, knowledge and expertise are required. Simplistic theories of management like decision making, managerial roles etc. should be critically examined to assess whether they are relevant to engineering management practice and engineering management education and training. The three-dimensional model presents a more realistic view for engineering management practice