Exploratory Study of Process Development in Technology Transfer Evidence from Automotive Firms

Abstract

The topic of technology transfer is important in the context of developing and emerging economies as successful technology transfer and local technological development efforts can play a crucial role in the economic development of a recipient country to value added its products or activities. Technology transfer process is an integration process which involved the technology provider, receiver, object of transfer and transfer mechanisms. However, previous researches showed that the failure of technology transfer mainly caused by several factors. This research explored the development process of technology transfer from the joint venture companiesof the automotive firms in Malaysia. Technology transfer process development will be assessed in a holistic way beginning with the in depth understanding on the process of technology transfer and key challenges during the development process that contributed to the success in the perspectives of Organizational Learning, Knowledge Based View and Resource Based View. These theories were important point of view to categorize the process that contributedtothe success of technology transfer development. This research contributed several theoretical, empirical and methodological (modified Delphi method) values to the literature on the factors related to transfer technology success, and evolutionary process of technology transfer. Instead of development process, this research also identifiedthekey challenges during the process and recommendation on how to overcome them. Semi-structured interviews were conducted against 12 participants from automotive firms, consisted of R&D staffs, Top Management, Designers, Engineers and Technicians, including the experts from government agencies related to technology transfer activities. This study will present relevant contributions to the company’s top management, technology transfer practitioners, policy makers, along with the researchers who were interested to get involved directly in the process of technology transfer. This research originality lies in the proposed framework of a technology transfer process development in joint venture as a business strategy.