Title: Active transfer of technology in the automobile industry: Indian experiences

Authors: Zafar Husain, Sushil

Addresses: Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016 India. Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016 India

Abstract: After independence in 1947, India started implementing its developmental plans by acquiring technology in various sectors of industry. Technologies were acquired in the infrastructural and utility industry in selected ways. A few firms in the country were allowed to borrow technology to manufacture automobiles. Technology started flowing freely into the Indian automobile industry from various parts of the world after 1983 when the process of economic reforms began. Technology acquisition took place using a variety of models. Firms acquiring technology from abroad had to abide by technology absorption norms as laid down by the Government of India till fierce liberalisation began in May 1991. The study presented in this article analyses the technology management practices of three leading joint ventures in the Indian automobile industry which have acquired technologies during 1984 using similar models of technology transfer and are now facing competition from other players entering the Indian market. Profitability, liquidity and turnover ratio analysis was carried out to assess the firms| financial health. Input from the industry-wide questionnaire survey is presented to compare the perception of the firm|s performance with respect to industry on selected variables. The situation-actor-process-learning-action-performance (SAP-LAP) paradigm was used to analyse the cases. Learning issues have been synthesised. The study took nearly 10 months and was concluded in October 1996.

Keywords: active transfer of technology; technology strategy; technology absorption and economies of scale and scope; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTM.2000.001576

International Journal of Services Technology and Management, 2000 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.236-280

Published online: 04 Jul 2003 *

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