Leadership Among Middle Managers - An Exploration in the Context of Technological Change

Although the importance of top managers in promoting technological innovation has been identifiE, d, the crucial role playE, d by middle level technical managers in implementing the changes has been largely neglectE, d. This paper offers a framework for the analysis of leadership roles in technological change, which draws upon often unrelatE, d bodies of literature on leadership, technology, strategy, and organizational change. Data from empirical case studies of the implementation of CAD/CAM systems in British and Canadian companies are usE, d to illustrate the impact of leadership by middle managers on organizational outcomes.