Title: The governance of international technology transfer: evidence from case-based analyses

Authors: Salem Y. Lakhal, Souad H'mida

Addresses: University of Moncton, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada. ' University of Moncton, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada

Abstract: This paper analyses the governance of knowledge partnerships that form a relationship, where each partner keeps its identity while knowledge is transferred from a powerful to a weaker partner. By using theories and five international cases of technology transfer, this analysis reveals specific features of knowledge partnerships, characterised mainly by an imbalanced power in knowledge and risk. The results of this paper show that many studies dealing with alliances between equal partners may lose their validity when one of the partners has more power than the other. Seven hypotheses and a conceptual diagram are suggested.

Keywords: knowledge partnerships; knowledge transfer; international technology transfer; governance; case based analysis; power imbalance; risk; technology management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2009.024951

International Journal of Technology Management, 2009 Vol.48 No.3, pp.308 - 335

Published online: 05 May 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article