The Management of Technology (MOT) Degree: A Bridge Between Technology and Strategic Management

This article examines a new degree, the Management of Technology (MOT). To create customer value and competitive advantage in today’s technological environment, bridges must be built between managers who know what needs to be done and technologists who know how to do it. The traditional MBA program has focused on defining what needs to be done vis-a-vis customers and competitors. The traditional MS in technology program focused on how to do it. The emerging MOT programs bridge the two perspectives. Forces creating demand for MOT programs are explored and current MOT programs examined. This paper describes the MS in Technology Management program at Pepperdine University’s George L. Graziadio Graduate School of Business and Management as representative of MOT programs. The author has taught in Pepperdine University’s MS in Technology Management program since 1989.