Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Technology transfer Tonga Case studies'

This study is concerned with the issue of international technology transfer, particularly to developing countries through licensing. Given the imperfect nature of technology market, multinational enterprises (MNEs) wield considerable amount of bargaining power in the negotiation of technology transfer arrangements with both related and unrelated parties. However, the intervention of host governements [sic] in the negotiation processes increases the complexity of the bargaining power issue. This aspect of transfer negotiation which is largely ignored in the literature, stems from "perceived need" to increase the benefits flowing from the operations of MHEs in the host country. Therefore the relationship between foreign investors and host countries is one of bilateral monopoly : the foreign investor has control over capital, technology, management and marketing skills needed to launch a product successfully; the host country has control over access before investment is made and over conditions for operating afterwards. Evidence from the literature show that bargaining power is a dynamic concept which incorporates a wide variety of variables. With developing countries, these variables are further complicated by the knowledge that neither the goals nor the relative bargaining strengths of the MNEs and host governments are static. They change over time. Therefore this study assesses the bargaining power determinants in a "controlled market" in which conditions are determined by the political and economic aspirations of the host government rather than by market forces of demand and supply. It also reviews the policy implications of the findings on the licensor; the licensee; and the host government. The results of this research revealed that in Nigeria, two principal factors were decisive in the determination of bargaining powers of both the multinational enterprises and the country, and these were (i) technology and its perceived importance by the host country, and (ii) the host government control policies.

The aim of this thesis is to develop, present and then demonstrate conceptual structures that link together an apparently heterogeneous range of research activity about technology in situations which are the subject of decision-making and policy formulation. Technology is considered to be knowledge as applied in organisations, communities, policy contexts and so on. It thus takes in not only the physical processes and output of the engineering sciences but also the new forms of organisation which use that output, their impacts on, and interactions with, people at large and with the so-called natural systems in which those people are embedded and with which they also interact. Methodologically many of the research publications which this thesis incorporates approach technology related issues and problems from the bottom up, from the most microscopic level of the individual human actor, the smallest feasible level of natural and engineered systems. It is an attempt to redress the top down perspectives which dominate technology and science policy formulation and decision making. This approach often requires research interaction at the level of the individual person or at the lowest level of physical and biological activity relevant to the issue at hand and the appropriate techniques for such interaction are debated and demonstrated. The principles of "translation" or "mapping" which are capable of being applied to a range of interactions between different domains (physically engineered, diverse individuals and knowledge) are developed. The thesis then shows how the representation of responses of people to products and services has evolved and begins to focus on organisations as suppliers of those products and processes. Technology is articulated as knowledge in the context of technology transfer into organisations and the thesis shows how those ideas evolved into the concept of knowledge dynamics in organisations. The problems of interactions which involve bio- physical systems as well as engineered systems and people and the issues of sustainability and policy relevant research are introduced. The nature of integrative interdisciplinary research about these issues is presented as a form of knowledge dynamics. The thesis shows how the concepts above can be used to distinguish between policy and decision relevant issues, and how they help to provide a conceptual framework within which the similarities and differences between knowledge policy in organisations and science research policy can be compared. Thus it is a series of interdisciplinary explorations into complex decision and policy relevant situations in which technology, in the form of knowledge and as the study of interaction between the designed physical world, people, organisations and natural systems, is a constant theme.

This is a study of information management in technology transfer, industrialisation and national economic development. It is based on a case study of Kenya. It argues for national information management as an aid to informed strategic decision making in technology identification, selection and negotiation. It proposes that effective technology transfer to developing countries depends on the information management capability of the national institutions responsible for managing the process because institutions are information processing organs. National institutions can support the technology transfer process by making the internal and external environment transparent for the economic agents in the country. They can create the environment in which learning takes place by supporting decision making based on information and using the best expertise. To support the process, national institutions require to build institutional memory and proceduralise the transfer of lessons between projects. This is the way to advance indigenous technological capability. Institutionalising informed decision making is necessary if a developing country like Kenya is to benefit from developments accompanying the new information technologies. Institutional reorganisation should, therefore, be at the centre of national information and informatics policies. Two project case studies from Kenya are used to demonstrate the argument.

This study focuses on university technology transfer organizations and innovation processes. Universities in the UK and the US have established organizations to facilitate the transfer of technologies from the university to industry, with public use and benefit as an ultimate objective. This research asks what process or processes describe and explicate innovation in the technology transfer organization in universities. Responses to the question derive from organization theory and case studies of four universities, two in the UK and two in the US. With qualitative data analysis, a resultant framework explains an innovation process. Justification for this research includes benefits for technology transfer officers in improving their innovation process and for university administrators, industry executives, venture capitalists, and government policy makes in better understanding technology transfer organizations. This study makes a contribution to the literature and practice of innovation and university technology transfer. Analysis of the research leads to a framework more robust than earlier frameworks by expanding antecedent conditions and actions and adding the influence of resources and organizational environments. Case studies, subsuming 48 critical incidents, permit a more rigorous analysis than hitherto available, in particular identifying actions in tripartite clusters (i.e., actions unique to successful incidents, actions unique to unsuccessful incidents, and actions present in both successful and unsuccessful incidents). This study also identifies more similarities than differences between UK and US technology transfer offices, both small and large.

This research investigates technology transfer (TT) to developing countries, with specific reference to South Africa. Particular attention is paid to physical asset management, which includes the maintenance of plant, equipment and facilities. The research is case based, comprising a main case study (the South African electricity utility, Eskom) and four mini-cases. A five level framework adapted from Salami and Reavill (1997) is used as the methodological basis for the formulation of the research questions. This deals with technology selection, and management issues including implementation and maintenance and evaluation and modifications. The findings suggest the Salami and Reavill (1997) framework is a useful guide for TT. The case organisations did not introduce technology for strategic advantage, but to achieve operational efficiencies through cost reduction, higher quality and the ability to meet customer demand. Acquirers favour standardised technologies with which they are familiar. Cost-benefit evaluations have limited use in technology acquisition decisions. Users rely on supplier expertise to compensate for poor education and technical training in South Africa. The impact of political and economic factors is more evident in Eskom than in the mini-cases. Physical asset management follows traditional preventive maintenance practices, with limited use of new maintenance management thinking. Few modifications of the technology or R&D innovations take place. Little use is made of explicit knowledge from computerised maintenance management systems. Low operating and maintenance skills are not conducive to the transfer of high-technology equipment. South African organisations acquire technology as items of plant, equipment and systems, but limited transfer of technology takes place. This suggests that operators and maintainers frequently do not understand the underlying technology, and like workers elsewhere, are not always inclined towards adopting technology in the workplace.

This thesis addresses a problem in the literature on technology transfer of understanding the local appropriation of knowledge. Based on interpretive and analytic traditions developed in Science and Technology Studies (STS) and ethnomethodology, I conceptualise technology transfer as involving communication between discursive communities. I develop the idea of 'performance of community' to argue that explanations of research and technology, and readings of those explanations, are sites for the elaboration of the identity of a discursive community. I explore this approach through a case study in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). I focus on what I call 'explanatory practices', that is practices of describing, identifying and explaining Al, and trace the differences in these practices, according to location, context and audience. The novelty of my thesis is to show the pervasiveness of performance of community within these explanatory practices, through showing the differences in the claimed identity and significance of Al, associated with different locations, contexts and audiences. I draw out some of the implications of my approach by counterposing it to a theory of technology transfer as the passing of neutral units of information, which I argue is implicit in a complaint made by Al vendors that the Al marketplace had been damaged by overselling or hype. In particular, I show that disclaimers of hype (more than the perpetration of it) had always been associated with the marketing of Al. More generally, my claim is that it is politically important to understand that neutral information is not available even as an ultimate standard, and that the local appropriation of knowledge is not an aberration to be controlled, but a component of both successful and unsuccessful communication between discursive communities.

This thesis examines information technology transfer to developing countries by considering its application in Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The transfer process can take place through a number of channels which are influenced by national, technological and organisational issues. The relative importance of these issues is determined by considering six organisations which have attempted, with varying degrees of success, to transfer information technology. From the analysis provided by these case studies, a number of recommendations are made to improve the likelihood of successful information technology transfer. At a national level, factors such as the availability of foreign currency and skilled computer personnel will affect the success of any technology transfer. Similarly, technological issues, including supplier policies and telecommunications facilities, also play a part. Organ isational issues, such as management attitudes and planning, can also be seen to influence the success of technology transfer. To investigate these issues, six case studies were undertaken in the three countries. Both government and private organisations were represented to provide various settings in which to examine the process of information technology transfer. Only one organisation was successful and many differing factors affected the unsuccessful ones. Thus no 'single remedy' exists for this problem. The thesis makes a number of recommendations on org anisational, technological and national issues. The main ones being: an improved organisational awareness of the potential for information technology coupled with general educational policies to provide a computer literate work force. At the national level, greater assistance for the acquisition and use of computers, together with proper monitoring of this process is suggested. 2

This thesis examines environmental law as a social technology, using approaches from science and technology studies, including methods for studying controversies as well as actornetwork and technology transfer concepts. Legal technologies, including statutes, regulations, and lawsuits, have become significant participants in United States environmental policy. That policy developed during the twentieth century in response to contrasting concerns about nature (development of natural resources vs. protection of native species and wilderness), along with growing concern about urban environmental issues (such as air and water quality, and waste disposal). The environmental movement that began after World War II gained power with provisions incorporated into 1970s environmental legislation allowing citizens to sue polluting industries and corporations. Opposition to environmentalism developed in the 1980s, as wise use and property rights movements seeking to expand development of natural resources, and an environmental justice movement concerned with issues and constituencies not addressed by mainstream environmental organizations. As a result of that opposition, the environmental movement in the United States has strengthened, and broadened both the memberships in varied organizations and the range of issues addressed. A case study of the Bronx Community Paper Company provides an example of the current state of environmental law and policy in the United States, and the limited ability of legal technologies to resolve increasingly complex environmental controversies.
Master of Science

Information Systems (IS) alignment is one of the most significant areas of concern in terms of priority for both the Information Technology and the Management fields. In this context, many scientific research organisations face the challenge of integrating their IS with organisational strategic objectives. This research aimed to develop a practical model of IS strategic alignment, that can be adopted by scientific research and development (SR&D) organisations in order to improve technology transfer activities. The research involved a single exploratory case study of an SR&D organisation in Kuwait, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). Thirtyseven respondents from the research management, IS management, and planning and support groups of KISR, namely, the scientific research senior managers, IS senior managers, and consultants, respectively, were interviewed concerning issues related to the organisational, strategic, and IS domains. Semi-structured interviews have been designed as a data collection method. The study has utilised certain data analysis techniques including template analysis, coding and classification, and interpretive analysis methods. In the analysis of the external and internal contexts, briefly, Kuwait’s IT plan was discussed, along with the challenges, and in detail, the description and analysis of KISR’s strategic plans. Twenty-two factors were identified and have emerged in this study which have effects on IS alignment. The key contributions, including a critical and comprehensive survey of IS strategy literature has led to the identification of factors that may affect IS alignment. A conceptual framework was designed to enable a better insight of the IS alignment challenges. A practical road map was developed in this study to guide and direct SR&D organisations in achieving IS alignment effectively and efficiently. This road map is aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practice for organisations. The proposed practical road map will help KISR and other SR&D organisations to achieve both successful and feasible IS strategic alignment to enable effective technology and knowledge transfer.

The principal aim of this thesis is to undertake a critical examination of the role of the international patent system in the transfer of technology to West Africa, particularly Ghana and Nigeria. It focuses mainly on the patent systans and technology regulatory regimes of the two countries. The study is intended to identify and evaluate the impact of the international patent system on the transfer and development of technology in this area. The first chapter provides a theoretical foundation to some of the more practical issues to be discussed in the subsequent chapters. The Paris Convention and the diplomatic revision exercise thereof, as well as other efforts and policies regarding patents and technology transfer at various levels are discussed in Chapter Two. Chapters Three to Eight consider the two case-studies undertaken in this thesis. Chapter Three begins with the historical development of the patent system in both Ghana and Nigeria, and the remaining chapters continue with a discussion of the present patent and technology regulatory regimes of both countries. Based on facts and figures the two case-studies examine critically the patent law and systems and technology transfer laws of these two countries including other related institutional measures highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. The study argues that if the patent systems of both countries are to play a meaningful role in the transfer and developnent of technology they nust be utilized as a tool of economic policy and also be related to the technology transfer regimes which nust necessarily be integrated into the national technology policy which should, in turn, be made an integral part of the entire national developnent plan. It is concluded that it is only in this way that the patent system can effectively contribute to the transfer of technology and the development of indigenous technological capabilities in the two countries.

This research intends to advance knowledge in the technology management field, most importantly in the study of organizations that develop technologies in-house and wish to enhance their technology transfer performance while maintaining adherence between R&D activities and overall business strategies. The objective was to build a multi-criteria decision-making model capable of producing a technology transfer score, which can be used by practitioners in order to assess and later improve their organizations' technology transfer capabilities -- ultimately aiming to improve technology development as a whole. The model was applied to a major power utility organization in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The introduction brings initial and basic information on the topic, along with the problem statement -- this chapter is aimed at situating the reader on the boundaries of the topic while highlighting its importance within the technology management field of study. The second chapter is the literature review. It brings general and specific information on technology transfer, as well as its complexities, gaps, relationship with other fields and the characteristics of this topic within the energy realm. It also tries to shed a light on how the alignment between R&D and business strategy is perceived by the literature, discussing some of the methods used and its shortcomings. Additionally, the literature review brings an analysis that builds the argument in favor of a continuous technology transfer process, and tries to show how it would be helpful in aligning R&D and business strategy. The third chapter presents the methodological approach -- hierarchical decision modeling (HDM) aided by action research -- which constitutes a methodological novelty piloted and validated throughout the development of the study. The fourth chapter details the model development process step-by-step, and the fifth chapter details the model application process with the analysis of the aforementioned organization. Additionally, results are interpreted and analyzed, and insights for the specific case and for technology managers in general are discussed. Lastly, the contributions of the study towards the advancement of the body of knowledge are discussed, as well as the study limitations and future research opportunities.

With the growing trend of globalization and rapid development of high technologies, emerging economies face more challenges in technology development because they are chasing a fast-moving frontier. They need to identify global technology trends and adapt to local needs and capabilities. Strategies for technology development differ among countries at different developmental stages. In this research, a technology policy choice framework is developed to link prospective high-tech areas, technology development strategies, and various innovative resources. The research approach is to develop a hierarchical decision model (HDM) and apply the analytic hierarchical process (AHP). Experts are invited from diverse sources to provide a balanced perspective representing different stakeholders. This research focuses on the fast developing Chinese biopharmaceutical industry as a case study. The results of this research have identified thirteen prospective biotech areas that China should invest more resources for development. These technology areas include: recombinant therapeutic proteins, recombinant vaccines, monoclonal antibody technology, cell and tissue engineering, gene therapy, antisense therapy, RNAi, nanobiotechnology, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, pharmacogenetics, gene sequencing, and biotechnology diagnostics. For most of these technology areas, the results have indicated an imitative innovation strategy should be taken as a better strategy under current technological conditions in China. The research has further found that high-tech small-to-medium companies and multinational corporations are major innovation contributors in the Chinese biopharmaceutical sector. The research outcomes can serve as guidelines in resource allocation and policy making for technology development. Based on the overall research findings, policy-makers can apply more specific policy instruments to support innovation activities. Appropriate policy measures may help the country to construct an innovative ecosystem that can serve as the driving force for future technology development.

A system dynamics model is developed to study the technology adoption process (TAP) of modern agriculture input technology such as the biotechnologies. The work shows that the system dynamics approach is appropriate to integrate the different components considered in the TAP conceptual framework elaborated in this work. The conceptual framework illustrates the different system components found important in the literature, portfolio decision-making, learning, information gathering, uncertainties and economics perceptions and their involved relationships.
The model is first calibrated and validated using the case of soybeans adoption versus corn uses in Quebec from 1987 to 1998. Validation is performed through five tests, namely visual, statistical and sensitivity, modularity and extendibility are performed to show the relevancy of the approach.
The model is then applied to the case of four input biotechnology crops. Again three types of validation tests are carried out. Results show that the model predicted the shape of the curve for all application fields.

This economic history and examination of the rubber products manufacturing industry in Peninsular Malaysia contributes to the subject of resource-based industrialization in the field of development studies. The development of the industry is traced from the 1920s to 2005 when the Second Industrial Master Plan came to an end. The findings are that local interests control 80 per cent of the industry, with foreign direct investment in the remaining 20 per cent, either as subsidiary companies of overseas manufacturers or in joint ventures with Malaysian investors. The industry has a dualistic structure, with foreign-owned and joint venture companies typically being more heavily capitalized and employing a larger workforce than wholly Malaysian-owned companies. Foreign and joint venture enterprises are more likely to export a greater volume of production than local firms. Nevertheless, the industry as a whole has a strong export-orientation and Malaysian-based exporters sell into markets worldwide. A detailed examination of the industrial components production sector by means of a questionnaire indicates that Malaysian producers rely on the Malaysian Rubber Board for the transfer of manufacturing technology. Technology transfer in the foreign and joint venture sector is from parent companies and joint venture associates overseas. The conclusion is that the rubber manufacturing industry is vertically integrated with local production of natural rubber used as raw material to produce a range of goods for sale to domestic and international markets. The 80 per cent Malaysian component indicates a stable domestic industry ably supported by local technology resources.

International organisations such as the World Health Organisation highlight the road crash problem in less motorised (or developing, or low income) countries like those in Southeast Asia and recommend the adoption of Western road safety measures. However, there are many differences between highly motorised and less motorised countries which raise questions about how successfully Western road safety knowledge and expertise can be transferred.----- A review of the statistical information on road crashes shows a great deal of uncertainty about both the scale and likely trajectory of road fatalities globally, in less motorised countries and in Asia. It is generally agreed, however, that Asia accounts for around half of all road fatalities, and analysis of the limited available data shows both that Southeast Asia is not an atypical region of Asia in road safety terms, and that Thailand and Vietnam are not atypical of Southeast Asian countries.----- A literature review of recommended practice approaches to road safety transfer in Asia shows that there are many economic, institutional, social and cultural factors which potentially influence the success of transfer. The review also shows that there is no coherent, comprehensive approach which either conceptualises these factors and their relationship to transfer outcomes, or uses an analysis of these factors to plan or modify transfer. To address this gap, this thesis develops a 'road safety space' model as a tool for conceptualisation and analysis, based on a biological metaphor which views the transfer of road safety measures from one context to another as analogous to the transfer of a species into a new ecological space. The road safety space model explicitly considers economic, institutional, social and cultural factors (from specific to broad) which influence the particular road safety issue which a particular road safety transfer effort seeks to address. A central contention of this thesis is that the road safety space model is both a feasible and useful tool to improve the process of road safety transfer to less motorised countries. Road safety space analysis is seen to have a role in a broader process of selection of road safety measures for transfer, along with knowledge of how the measures are considered to operate.----- The research reported in this thesis is comprised of three studies. Study 1 reviewed evaluations of road safety transfer to Thailand and Vietnam. Studies 2 and 3 were case studies of road safety transfer to Thailand and Vietnam respectively.----- Study 1 was an analysis of existing evaluations of road safety transfer to Thailand and Vietnam. The aims were to analyse the evaluations for their consideration of contextual factors, as described in the road safety space model, and to discuss whether the road safety space model assisted in understanding the reasons for success or failure of transfer. However, very few such evaluations exist, and those that were found generally lacked information on whether contextual factors were considered. This indicated the need for a more detailed, in-depth qualitative investigation of particular cases of road safety transfer, in order to investigate the feasibility and utility of the road safety space model.----- Two case studies (Study 2 and Study 3) were conducted to test whether the road safety space approach was both feasible and useful as a means of improving road safety transfer efforts. Study 2 was a case study of the development and implementation in Thailand of a road safety education program for school children, which involved the transfer of Western research and techniques. The transfer agents (i.e. those who effected the road safety transfer) were Australian consultants working for the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB). The transfer was funded by the World Bank and managed by the Thai Ministry of Education (MOE). Study 3 was a case study of the development and implementation of a motorcycle helmet wearing program in Vietnam, which involved the transfer of Western knowledge, techniques and technology. The transfer agents were staff of Asia Injury (AI), a non-government organisation (NGO), and the program was funded initially by a charitable fund, with the intention of becoming self-funding through operation of a helmet factory.----- The case studies employed background research into existing information on economic, institutional, social and cultural factors relevant to the road safety issues (road use behaviour of school children in Thailand and motorcycle helmet purchase and wearing in Vietnam), and collected data through interviews with key informants, analysis of secondary sources and observations. This information was used to derive the road safety space for each road safety issue, to identify the road safety space recognised and addressed by the transfer agents (ARRB and AI), and to determine which factors they missed, or were aware of but took no action on. The focus of this analysis was on the processes used in transfer, not on the road safety outcomes of transfer, although these provided information on the processes as well. Available evaluation information was used to draw links between the omissions and the success of the transfer processes. It was noted that information on how the transferred measures operate should come from a road safety space analysis in the originating country, although this raised questions about selection of country and time (when the measure was first introduced, or in its maturity).----- The feasibility and utility of the road safety space model were discussed. It was clear that the model provided information on the cases which was missed by the transfer agents. The questions examined next were whether this information could have been obtained from an exercise conducted before the transfer had commenced, whether the required effort and cost justified the potential benefits, and whether the information on the road safety space could have been useful for the transfer agents. Comparisons between the road safety spaces for the two cases showed some areas of commonality, e.g. perceptions of police corruption, but also many differences. It was considered likely that some broad factors could be generic, and the possibility was mooted that less motorised countries share issues with police enforcement. This requires further research, however, and at this stage it is better to treat each road safety space as a unique combination of contextual factors influencing the road safety issue of interest.----- It is concluded that the road safety space model is feasible if used in such a way as to minimise the research involved, and useful, although the degree of utility needs to be further explored in a prospective study. The limitation introduced by restricting informants to those who could speak English are discussed. An approach using road safety space analysis is recommended, emphasising analysis of the country to which the road safety measure is being transferred, supplemented by analysis of the originating country road safety space. Gaps in knowledge are identified for further research and development, in particular the theoretical and practical understanding of road use behaviours and their modification in less motorised countries in Southeast Asia. Elaboration of the model is also recommended, to take into account the influence of the type of measure transferred, the role of the transfer agent, the area of road safety (education, engineering or enforcement), and the time dimension (the time which might be needed for a transfer to show its effects).----- The findings of this research are likely to be applicable to road safety transfer in other less motorised regions of the world, however prospective testing is needed. They may also be relevant to issues of transfer for areas other than road safety, in particular public health and traffic engineering, where similar economic, institutional, social and cultural issues come together.

International organisations such as the World Health Organisation highlight the road crash problem in less motorised (or developing, or low income) countries like those in Southeast Asia and recommend the adoption of Western road safety measures. However, there are many differences between highly motorised and less motorised countries which raise questions about how successfully Western road safety knowledge and expertise can be transferred.----- A review of the statistical information on road crashes shows a great deal of uncertainty about both the scale and likely trajectory of road fatalities globally, in less motorised countries and in Asia. It is generally agreed, however, that Asia accounts for around half of all road fatalities, and analysis of the limited available data shows both that Southeast Asia is not an atypical region of Asia in road safety terms, and that Thailand and Vietnam are not atypical of Southeast Asian countries.----- A literature review of recommended practice approaches to road safety transfer in Asia shows that there are many economic, institutional, social and cultural factors which potentially influence the success of transfer. The review also shows that there is no coherent, comprehensive approach which either conceptualises these factors and their relationship to transfer outcomes, or uses an analysis of these factors to plan or modify transfer. To address this gap, this thesis develops a 'road safety space' model as a tool for conceptualisation and analysis, based on a biological metaphor which views the transfer of road safety measures from one context to another as analogous to the transfer of a species into a new ecological space. The road safety space model explicitly considers economic, institutional, social and cultural factors (from specific to broad) which influence the particular road safety issue which a particular road safety transfer effort seeks to address. A central contention of this thesis is that the road safety space model is both a feasible and useful tool to improve the process of road safety transfer to less motorised countries. Road safety space analysis is seen to have a role in a broader process of selection of road safety measures for transfer, along with knowledge of how the measures are considered to operate.----- The research reported in this thesis is comprised of three studies. Study 1 reviewed evaluations of road safety transfer to Thailand and Vietnam. Studies 2 and 3 were case studies of road safety transfer to Thailand and Vietnam respectively.----- Study 1 was an analysis of existing evaluations of road safety transfer to Thailand and Vietnam. The aims were to analyse the evaluations for their consideration of contextual factors, as described in the road safety space model, and to discuss whether the road safety space model assisted in understanding the reasons for success or failure of transfer. However, very few such evaluations exist, and those that were found generally lacked information on whether contextual factors were considered. This indicated the need for a more detailed, in-depth qualitative investigation of particular cases of road safety transfer, in order to investigate the feasibility and utility of the road safety space model.----- Two case studies (Study 2 and Study 3) were conducted to test whether the road safety space approach was both feasible and useful as a means of improving road safety transfer efforts. Study 2 was a case study of the development and implementation in Thailand of a road safety education program for school children, which involved the transfer of Western research and techniques. The transfer agents (i.e. those who effected the road safety transfer) were Australian consultants working for the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB). The transfer was funded by the World Bank and managed by the Thai Ministry of Education (MOE). Study 3 was a case study of the development and implementation of a motorcycle helmet wearing program in Vietnam, which involved the transfer of Western knowledge, techniques and technology. The transfer agents were staff of Asia Injury (AI), a non-government organisation (NGO), and the program was funded initially by a charitable fund, with the intention of becoming self-funding through operation of a helmet factory.----- The case studies employed background research into existing information on economic, institutional, social and cultural factors relevant to the road safety issues (road use behaviour of school children in Thailand and motorcycle helmet purchase and wearing in Vietnam), and collected data through interviews with key informants, analysis of secondary sources and observations. This information was used to derive the road safety space for each road safety issue, to identify the road safety space recognised and addressed by the transfer agents (ARRB and AI), and to determine which factors they missed, or were aware of but took no action on. The focus of this analysis was on the processes used in transfer, not on the road safety outcomes of transfer, although these provided information on the processes as well. Available evaluation information was used to draw links between the omissions and the success of the transfer processes. It was noted that information on how the transferred measures operate should come from a road safety space analysis in the originating country, although this raised questions about selection of country and time (when the measure was first introduced, or in its maturity).----- The feasibility and utility of the road safety space model were discussed. It was clear that the model provided information on the cases which was missed by the transfer agents. The questions examined next were whether this information could have been obtained from an exercise conducted before the transfer had commenced, whether the required effort and cost justified the potential benefits, and whether the information on the road safety space could have been useful for the transfer agents. Comparisons between the road safety spaces for the two cases showed some areas of commonality, e.g. perceptions of police corruption, but also many differences. It was considered likely that some broad factors could be generic, and the possibility was mooted that less motorised countries share issues with police enforcement. This requires further research, however, and at this stage it is better to treat each road safety space as a unique combination of contextual factors influencing the road safety issue of interest.----- It is concluded that the road safety space model is feasible if used in such a way as to minimise the research involved, and useful, although the degree of utility needs to be further explored in a prospective study. The limitation introduced by restricting informants to those who could speak English are discussed. An approach using road safety space analysis is recommended, emphasising analysis of the country to which the road safety measure is being transferred, supplemented by analysis of the originating country road safety space. Gaps in knowledge are identified for further research and development, in particular the theoretical and practical understanding of road use behaviours and their modification in less motorised countries in Southeast Asia. Elaboration of the model is also recommended, to take into account the influence of the type of measure transferred, the role of the transfer agent, the area of road safety (education, engineering or enforcement), and the time dimension (the time which might be needed for a transfer to show its effects).----- The findings of this research are likely to be applicable to road safety transfer in other less motorised regions of the world, however prospective testing is needed. They may also be relevant to issues of transfer for areas other than road safety, in particular public health and traffic engineering, where similar economic, institutional, social and cultural issues come together.

116 leaves single sided printed, preliminary pages i-viii and numbered pages 1-106. Includes bibliography.
Scanned using a Hp Scanjet 8250 Scanner to pdf format (OCR).
Thesis (MPhil (Sociology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa few systematic studies have been done on university-industry partnerships. This research investigated the evolution of the University of Cape Town (UCT) and SASOL partnership involving heterogeneous catalysis. As part of this investigation, I analysed the driving force and sought to determine the motivations and benefits that UCT and SASOL have since accrued as a result of their partnership. I also analysed knowledge transmission or technology transfer processes such as the hiring of graduates, intellectual property etc. In light of all of these I sought to draw lessons that could be learnt from UCT-SASOL partnership for future purpose. I followed four themes or sections in order to situate the study. These were, (a) the socio-economic context (global and knowledge economy, innovation, knowledge society etc.), the changing modes of knowledge production ("Mode 2") and the changing ways of interactions among stakeholders industry, university and government (Triple Helix). The key argument here is that the university industry partnership cannot be seen as an independent development, but is interrelated or partly the consequence of changes in the socio-economic, science, technology and higher education fields, (b) The driving force behind the partnership, (c) motivations, benefits, and (d) knowledge or technology transfer/transmission processes. I used the case study research design. I conducted interviews with the UCT Chemical Engineering Department, UCT Centre for Research and Innovation and SASOL officials. I collected several documents related to the study and also visited the laboratories in which UCT-SASOL partnership research activities were happening. Some of the findings of the study include the following. The partnership demonstrates the significant role of an individual academic, who steered transformation in terms of research activities and culture in the Chemical Engineering Department. The legacy of the individual academic's strong personality and commitment to research is evident and continues to stimulate high levels of research interest and teamwork among staff members which is characteristic of this department. A strong link is maintained between the basic disciplinary "Mode 1" teaching and research on the one hand and the multidisciplinary "Mode 2" applied and strategic research and training on the other: This is evident in the strong emphasis on the solid undergraduate disciplinary education as a basis for a high quality multidisciplinary postgraduate education. All staff members are involved in both teaching and research. A strong link is maintained between academic, research and postgraduate activities: The department utilizes surpluses generated through industrial-oriented research to cross-subsidize the academic and postgraduate activities.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is weinig sistemiese studies in Suid-Afrika reeds uitgevoer oor universiteit-industrie samewerking. Hierdie studie ondersoek die ontwikkeling van 'n vennootskap tussen die Universiteit van Kaapstad (UK) en SASOL wat heterogene katalise insluit. Ek analiseer in hierdie studie die dryfkrag van die vennootskap, en probeer die motivering en voordele bepaal wat beide die UK en SASOL toegekom het as deel van hulle vennootskap. Ek analiseer ook die oordrag van kennis of oordrag van tegnologiese prosesse, die aanstelling van graduandi, intellektuele eiendom, ens. Ek probeer op grond hiervan lesse van die UK-SASOL vennootskap uitlig vir toekomstige doeleindes. Ek het vier temas of afdelings gebruik om hierdie studie te vestig. Dit is, (a) die sosio-ekonomiese konteks (globale en kennis ekonomie,innovasie, kennis samelewing ens.), die veranderende modus van kennis produksie ("Modus 2") en die veranderende wyses van interaksie tussen belanghebbendes - industrie, universiteit en regering (Triple Helix). Die sleutel argument hier is dat die universiteitindustrie vennootskap nie gesien kan word as 'n onafhanklike ontwikkeling, maar dat dit verband hou met of deel is van die gevolge van die veranderinge in die sosio-ekonomiese, wetenskap, tegnologie en hoer onderwys arenas; (b) die dryfkrag agter die vennootskap; (c) motivering en voordele; en (d) die oordrag van kennis of tegnologie/oordrag van prosesse. Ek gebruik die gevallestudie metodologie in hierdie studie. Ek het onderhoude gevoer met die UK Chemiese Ingenieurswese Departement, die UK Sentrum vir Navorsing en Innovasie, asook die SASOL betrokkenes. Ek het die projekdokumentasie versamel en het ook die laboratoriums besoek waarin die navorsingsaktiwiteite van die UK-SASOL vennootskap plaas vind. Die bevindinge van hierdie sluit dus die volgende in. Die vennootskap demonstreer die belangrike rol van 'n individuele akademikus wat transformasie bewerkstellig het in terme van navorsingsaktiwiteite en die kultuur in die Chemiese Ingenieurswese Departement. Die nalatenskap van die individuele akademikus se sterk persoonlikheid en toewyding tot navorsing is duidelik en stimuleer steeds hoe vlakke van belangstelling in die navorsing en spanwerk in die departement. Dit is ook een van die kenmerke van hierdie departement. Daar is 'n sterk skakel gehandhaaf tussen die basiese dissiplinere "Modus 1" onderrig en navorsing aan die een kant, en die multidissiplinere "Modus 2" toegepaste en strategiese navorsing en onderrig aan die ander kant. Dit is duidelik in die sterk kleim wat gele word op die stewige voorgraadse dissiplinere onderrig as 'n basis vir 'n hoe kwaliteit multidissiplinere nagraadse onderrig. Alle personeel is betrokke by beide onderrig en navorsing. 'n Sterk skakel is behou tussen akademiese, navorsings- en nagraadse aktiwiteite: die departement gebruik die oorskotte van industrieverwante navorsing om akademiese en nagraadse aktiwiteite te kruissubsideer.

Malaysia is a transition economic country that aims to be a developed country by 2020. In realising this mission (Vision 2020), the cluster concept has been an interest and adopted by the central authorities. There are few years ahead to reach the targeted year and it interest of this study to investigate the relevant development on its own engineered cluster of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) that was put forward on the success of Silicon Valley in the US. This thesis focuses on the development of the MSC cluster in the Malaysia context. It examines and measures the state of the cluster, the role played by its core actors (from Triple Helix perspective) and their relationship in the MSC. The role of collaboration has been used to measure the relationship among actors with the key determinants of cluster formation. A mixed data collection method was used to answer the research question and objectives involved. A conceptual model for analysing the MSC cluster is proposed, bringing together insights from the literature on clusters, role of actors, collaborative relationship and the complex systems of innovation approach. This conceptual model uncover the weaknesses of social dimension (social infrastructure) in Porter’s diamond model and the general approach of Triple Helix model in the cluster development. The cluster lifecycle model is used to add the depth to the analysis on the condition of cluster development.

This study is based upon the double proposition that a transfer of modern management knowledge is an important component of the development assistance given to Third World countries and that this knowledge has a cultural basis that

restricts its transferability. The very essence of the cultural basis is thought to consist of culture contingent implicit assumptions about phenomena in the reality. Problems experienced in five cases of transfer of management knowledge are analysed in search for such implicit assumptions questioned. A paradigm comprising fifteen basic assumptions attached to the images of different management relevant phenomena is identified in the analysis carried out. Different corroborating conditions that make experiences from management-inaction corroborate the validity of the basic assumptions are also identified. The recognition of the relationships between basic assumptions and environmental conditions is held to be crucial to the understanding of how and why the cultural basis of modern management knowledge makes its transfer difficult. The identified relationships between basic assumptions and corroborating conditions has implications for two major issues discussed in cross-cultural management research: (i) it supports the convergence hypothesis, and (ii) it can be concluded that the perceived appropriateness of the “modern” delegativeparticipative management style hinges on the “industrialising” of environmental conditions. In addition to the implications for the cross-cultural management discourse, it is found that the perspective developed has implications for the institutionalism approach to management. In particular, it points to the importance of normative messages and collectively shared perceptions as isomorphic forces. It also points to important mechanisms behind institutional variability and change. The relationship between basic assumptions and environmental conditions is central to a strategy for transfer of modern management knowledge that is discussed in the end of the study. The importance of a cognitive transformation is emphasised as a prerequisite for a long-term success of such a transfer.

by Loh Shing Wai.
Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-54).
ABSTRACT --- p.ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vi
Chapter
Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1
Technology Transfer --- p.1
Purpose of Study --- p.3
Scope of Study --- p.5
Approach and Methodology --- p.5
Chapter II. --- BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISATANCE AGENCY --- p.7
Historical Background --- p.7
Organization Structure and Staffing --- p.9
"Vision, Mission and Values" --- p.10
Corporate Culture --- p.12
Local Student Finance Scheme --- p.13
Chapter III. --- ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS --- p.15
External Environment --- p.15
Internal Environment --- p.16
Chapter IV --- STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM --- p.18
Existing IT Environment --- p.18
Development of Proposed System --- p.19
System Objectives --- p.20
Project Schedule --- p.20
Project Control --- p.21
Development Approach --- p.22
Chapter V. --- FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS
IT Project Implementation Issues --- p.23
Merging the Islands of Automation --- p.23
Assimilating Emerging Technologies --- p.23
Partnership of Three Constituencies --- p.24
Findings --- p.25
Analysis --- p.26
Leadership --- p.26
Business Changes --- p.28
Project Team --- p.29
Team Spirit --- p.31
Lack of Confidence --- p.31
Comments from Focus Group --- p.33
Chapter VI. --- CONCLUSION --- p.35
Chapter VII. --- POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATION --- p.38
Leadership Style --- p.38
Roles of Senior Manager --- p.39
User Representative --- p.39
Project Team --- p.40
Communication Strategy --- p.40
User Training --- p.44
User Manuals/Documentation --- p.44
APPENDICES --- p.45
BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.49

Statement of the issue: Facing large HIV-infected populations, Sub-Saharan African countries are producing antiretroviral (ARV) drugs under provisions of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS). Article 7 states that the protection of intellectual property should increase technology transfer to developing countries. This clause and the debate over domestic manufacturers’ ability to provide low-cost ARVs need examination. Methods: Case studies from ARV manufacturing initiatives in Tanzania and South Africa analyzed conditions affecting two outcomes: the type of technology transfer arrangement entered (voluntary license or imitation) and the affordability of ARVs. Data were collected and analyzed from documents, key-informant interviews, and observation. Chi-squared and phi correlation statistics were then conducted across developing countries to test the association of voluntary ARV licensure with TRIPS-compliant patents and domestic firm ownership (state or private). Results: Tanzania’s weak patent system and poorly-financed, partially state-owned firm dissuaded industry investment, but attracted a non-government organization to transfer technology through imitation. Donor-financed ARV tenders, however, restrict competition to international quality-accredited products not produced by the firm. Without large volumes and manufacturing capacity, it cannot achieve economies of scale to reduce prices below imported ARVs. In South Africa, civil society challenged the strong patent system and poor government commitment that inhibited an ARV rollout. This and a well-financed, publicly-traded firm leveraged voluntary licenses. With international quality approval, the firm increased first-line ARV affordability; however, limited domestic competition keeps treatment prices above those of neighbouring countries. A multi-country analysis found 321 generic ARV manufacturing initiatives in 86 firms across 25 developing countries. Voluntary ARV licenses had a strong positive association with TRIPS-patent compliance (ф=.56, p<.0001) and a weak negative association with state-ownership (ф=.19, p<.0001). Firms in South Africa and India were granted 77% of licenses and accounted for most quality accredited generic ARVs. Conclusion: Despite positive association, technology transfer does not readily result from patent protection, particularly to state-owned firms. Developing countries must enact policies to enable affordable ARVs; yet, they must be cautious using local production to increase ARV access, as most initiatives cannot compete with high-volume generic manufacturers.

Poverty, unemployment, inequality and food insecurity are common facts of life in rural communities in the former homelands of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa despite decades of massive infusion of irrigation technology and resources into the rural economies. These problems are mostly the corollary of public policies enacted and executed over the years under colonial and apartheid regimes. Even the establishment of developmental local government and the introduction of various forms of integrated and sustainable rural development policies and programmes under the current democratic political dispensation, which began in 1994, have not brought much relief to the rural areas. Development policies and programmes have not been successful at increasing the coping strategies of the majority of the rural poor as they continue to remain outside the mainstream of development action. The persistence of socio-economic problems elicits questions regarding the appropriateness of development policies with respect to the transfer of irrigation technology to the rural poor. This study critically investigates the social and economic effects of Qamata Irrigation Scheme (QIS) on the living conditions and coping strategies of the farmers at Qamata. The outcome of the investigation is used as the context to analyse the effectiveness and appropriateness of the irrigation development and management policies in the transfer of irrigation technology to the farmers. The choice of QIS was occasioned by its position as the first state financed large-scale irrigation scheme in the late 1960s in the former Transkei which was the poorest and most populous Bantustan; Qamata was one of the poorest rural communities in the territory. Besides, QIS is one of the largest irrigation schemes in the Eastern Cape which has attracted a considerable amount of resources and public attention. It was therefore thought that the study of QIS could generate the relevant data required to evaluate the appropriateness of irrigation schemes in rural development in the province. The roles and expectations of development functionaries with reference to development policies, programmes, practices and achievements, and the living conditions, needs, aspirations and perceptions of beneficiaries were critically examined. Because rural development is a multi-faceted concept, the approach of the study was eclectic. The data which ensued was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively with chi-square test and independent samples t-test to arrive at forthright and compelling conclusions. The study revealed that rural development at Qamata is fraught with political, institutional and organizational problems. As a result, the Qamata Irrigation Scheme could not bring about the expected socio-economic development in the surrounding rural communities. Suggestions are offered on the basis of the research findings for meaningful rural development. The participation of local communities, especially women who bear the brunt of rural poverty and food crop production, in development policy formulation and the participation of the youth in irrigation farming are seen as essential prerequisites for goal oriented rural and agricultural development intervention programmes.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) is facing challenges like duplication of work due to lack of a central repository for knowledge retention, loss of knowledge through expertise leaving the institution without knowledge being captured and over reliance on a few known subject matter experts as others have not been identified. Utilising the Knowledge Retention Strategy framework, this study sought to assess knowledge retention practices at KeMU, with a view to entrench the culture of sharing knowledge. The ultimate aim of this study was to develop a model for knowledge retention at institutions of higher learning which KeMU could adopt. The study relied on mixed method research (MMR) with qualitative and quantitative data mixed at collection, analysis, discussion and reporting levels. The study triangulated data collection tools which encompassed a questionnaire, interview, observation and review of documents to collect data from 106 respondents and 11 heads of departments respectively. These two groups were purposively selected as they play a key role in knowledge retention at KeMU. The study disclosed a variety of informal knowledge retention practices but formal practices like: documented work processes; training and development for specific job tasks; orientation for general and job specific; knowledge repositories; communities of practice; knowledge retention policies; knowledge recovery initiatives; and human resources processes and practices for knowledge retention were lacking. Considering the value placed on the above list of lacking essential practices for knowledge retention, KeMU is indeed in dire need for a solution to help retain operational relevant knowledge. The study formulated a KR model for institutions of higher learning that would help KeMU leverage its knowledge assets. The study recommends that KeMU should work out a knowledge retention policy on how to implement the best knowledge retention practices. A further study on measuring KM in an academic institution is recommended.
Information Science
M. Inf.

The purpose of the research underpinning this thesis is to develop and test a framework for understanding whether, how and under what circumstances information and communication technologies (ICT) can contribute to development.