SMALL BUSINESS STRATEGIC PLANNING AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: THE USE OF PUBLICLY SUPPORTED TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE AGENCIES.

A questionnaire was mailed to the 404 small manufacturing firms in middle Tennessee. This article is based on the 123 questionnaires that were returned. The survey was developed to test a conceptual framework which describes the technology transfer process from public agencies to small manufacturers. The paper suggests that selecting technology is part of the strategic planning process. External variables such as competition and internal variables such as production problems are correlated with awareness of, prior use of, and plans for use of the transfer agents. The article concludes that although there is little awareness of these agencies by small businesses, the prior use of these agencies will lead to the future use of them. In addition, sales growth and response to foreign competition are significantly correlated with awareness of, prior use of, and plans for using the agencies. The speed of change in technological development and level of technical sophistication both in the industry and the firm were correlated with the awareness of, prior use of, and plans for using the agencies. Suggestions for improving the network between small businesses and these agencies are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]