Influences on technology strategy in the uk oil- and gas-related industry network

In the course of the last 25 years the UK has seen the emergence of a new, technologically advanced network of organizations underpinning the technical needs of the oil and gas extraction industry. The evolution of this industry network has taken place within a public policy framework which has had two central objectives: to maximize UK industrial involvement in the industry and to maximize North Sea oil and gas extraction. The extent to which this framework has encouraged the development of new, technology-based firms has not been systematically studied. This study examines the extent of indigenous involvement in the network and the influence of the current pressures of economic and policy changes on the performance and strategic planning of these companies.