Title: Downstream developments of a traditional industry through foreign investment and local knowledge and capabilities – evidence from the Sri Lankan rubber industry

Authors: Dilupa Nakandala; Tim Turpin

Addresses: Centre for Industry and Innovation Studies Research Group, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797 Penrith NSW 2751, Australia. ' Centre for Industry and Innovation Studies Research Group, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797 Penrith NSW 2751, Australia

Abstract: This article analyses the Sri Lankan rubber industry in terms of the integration of local knowledge and capabilities with technology and skills derived from foreign direct investment. We argue that foreign technology initiated a transformational process within the rubber products sector but functional upgrading of the traditional industry from raw rubber production to value-added rubber products manufacturing was underpinned by a symbiotic relationship between a strong public innovation system in the upstream value chain that enhanced absorptive capacity in the rubber production industry, enabling subsequent spillover to the local industry, and increased innovation capabilities among local partner firms in rubber products manufacturing. The findings of this study inform the policymakers of the importance of designing heterogeneous policies across sectors.

Keywords: innovation capabilities; functional upgrading; technology transfer; spillover; traditional rubber industry; developing countries; technological development; foreign direct investment; FDI; Sri Lanka; local capabilities; local knowledge.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTLID.2011.044139

International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2011 Vol.4 No.4, pp.292 - 309

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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