Technology Transfer to Developing Countries

Abstract

The role of technology and technology transfer in the growth and welfare of economies is well-established. Technology transfer has different facets. These are a) from one application domain to another; b) from one country to another – which has three different aspects: from one developed country to another developed country (North-North transfer), from one developed county to a developing country (North-South transfer), and lastly, from one developing country to another (South-South transfer); and c) from labs/universities to market. These facets are mostly mutually exclusive, with little overlap. Sufficient literature and evidence exist looking into the issues encountered in each of these facets of technology transfer. Evidence also exists about successful as well as failed technology transfer in each of these facets. This chapter talks about the role of technology transfer in satisfying the country’s needs and requirements – be it transferred from one application domain to another or from one country to another, or from labs to market. The discussion is mainly oriented towards developing countries, which are often in dire need of technology. The chapter ends with suggestions on what needs to be done to maximize the recipient country’s benefits from the transferred technology.