Study of the utilization of trade magazines by machine designers in the technology transfer process: Implications for management

Abstract

Purpose of Study: The general purpose of this study was to determine the utilization of trade magazines by machine designers. The sample was composed of 660 machine designers, all members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, representing 60 major organizations. A percentage was used to determine which magazines were most accessible to the designers and which magazines were most often read by the designers. A chi square test was used to determine if there were significant differences in the contents of the four most accessible magazines. A chi square test was also used to determine if various "working" conditions affect which magazines the designers read and which magazines the designers have access to.

Findings and Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that although there are significant differences in the contents of the four magazines, none of them contain adequate useful technical information. The results of the study also revealed that there are several "working" conditions of the designers that affect which magazines the designers read and which ones that they have access to. Several important implications of managements' role in the technology transfer process were revealed.