today manufacturing companies are faced with intensifying competition and a turbulent economic environment. to some extent technology is seen as a means by which firms can strive to adapt to the requirements of this difficult and uncertain environment. on the order hand rapid rates of technological change and associated shorter product cycles are themselves past of the difficulty. as is the increased blurring of long-established industrial boundaries--kodama's(1985) process of "technological fusion" the growing complexity and pace of industrial technological change are forcing firms to forge new vertical and horizontal alliances and to seek greater flexibility and efficiency in responding to market changes