Technology
Chapter 3: Types of Technological Systems—Terms and Definitions
Agricultural and related biotechnologies: the technologies used in growing food and producing
natural fibers.
Communication and information technologies: the technologies used in processing data into
information and communicating ideas and information.
Construction technologies: the technologies used in building structures for housing, business,
transportation, and energy transmission.
Corporate participation: the spirit of cooperation in developing and operating a technological
system.
Current technologies: the range of techniques used to produce most products and services today.
Emerging technologies: new technologies that are not widely employed today, but might be
commonly used in a later period of time.
Energy and power technologies: the technologies used in converting and applying energy to
power devices and systems.
Financial affairs: the activities that obtain, account for, and disburse the money and physical
resources and maintain the financial records needed to manage a system.
High technology (high tech): new technologies that are not in wide use today, but may become
common in time. They are also called emerging technologies.
Industrial relations: the activities that develop and manage programs, ensuring an efficient work
force and positive relations among the company, its workers, and the public.
Manufacturing technologies: the technologies used in converting materials into industrial and
consumer products.
Marketing: the stage of promoting, selling, and delivering a product, structure, or service.
Medical technologies: the technologies used in maintaining health and curing illnesses.
Obsolete technologies: technologies that can no longer efficiently meet human needs for products
and services.
Production: the stage of developing and operating systems for producing a product, structure, or
service.
Research and development: the stage of designing, developing, and specifying the characteristics
of a product, structure, or service. These activities might result in new or improved products and
processes.
Transportation technologies: the technologies used in moving people and cargo from one place to
another.
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