Title: Technology transfer to developing countries

Authors: Hamed Hashim Al-Ghailani, William C. Moor

Addresses: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Industrial Directorate, P.O. Box 550, Muscat, The Sultanate of Oman. ' Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5906, USA

Abstract: A general model is developed that presents the most important activities related to technology transfer to developing countries. Many of the studies on which the model is based reflect the viewpoint of the developing country. As technology transfer is a two-sided process, the effort is made to present the interests of both sides. For technology transfer to be successful, both parties should achieve benefit and acknowledge each other|s interests. Concessions on both sides are inevitable. In this way, partnership and cooperation will replace conflict and misunderstanding. The model proposed is a general one that can be used wholly or partially by any developing country when deciding a technology transfer process. In a case study, the model is applied to a representative developing country, the Sultanate of Oman. Using the Sultanate of Oman as an example illustrates the model|s application to many other developing countries having similar patterns of development. The results found and conclusions drawn lead to the recommendation of the general model as a guideline to successful transfer of technology to developing countries.

Keywords: technology transfer; developing countries; Oman; Gulf States; technology life-cycle; technology marketplace; technology management; partnership; cooperation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1995.025650

International Journal of Technology Management, 1995 Vol.10 No.7/8, pp.687 - 703

Published online: 23 May 2009 *

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