The determinants of technology transfer through networks: an empirical study on the aerospace industry

Abstract

This study examines the factors affecting technology transfer through international R&D consortiums in the aerospace industry. We conceptualise repeated R&D consortiums as a network arrangement and analyse the characteristics of ties and the industry's network arrangements to assess a firm's access to unique technology. The sample used in this study is 125 cases of international R&D consortiums in the aerospace industry, from January 1980 to December 2000. The result suggests a positive correlation between the strength of ties and the similarities between firms and the successful transfer of unique technology.