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Facilitators and inhibitors in sector wide technology transfer projects in developing economies: an empirical study

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Abstract

Achieving success in technology transfer (TT) projects remains a difficult proposition in developing economies. Such projects need to accomplish not only their TT objectives, but also get delivered within schedule and costs. Literature is replete with TT models, analysis of contractual arrangements, governing processes and influencing factors. Earlier studies have conceptualized TT outcome enablers and validated through practitioner surveys. However, studying sector-wide TT programs in their natural settings for developing economies has remained an unexplored area. This study adopted a seven step Grounded Theory methodology, applied inductive and deductive reasoning on open-coded granular case data to derive causal factors. These factors were then classified into facilitators and inhibitors and mapped onto TT outcome enablers. Findings from an independent survey of equipment manufacturers were used to finalize the set of causal factors for TT outcome enablers, which were then taken forward for structural equation modeling (SEM). Inferences drawn from successive SEMs, validated by findings from equipment manufacturer survey, distinguished the dominant TT outcome enabler. Further, it established two significant facilitators and one inhibitor. Insights drawn showed that absorptive capacities of ‘mid-range’ economies may have accelerated thereby beginning to differentiate them from other developing economies. The study findings can provide insights to policy makers and leaders for improving effectiveness of sector-wide TT programs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the support received from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India and NTPC Limited for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India

    K. Chandrashekhar Iyer & Partha S. Banerjee

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  1. K. Chandrashekhar Iyer
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  2. Partha S. Banerjee
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Correspondence to Partha S. Banerjee.

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Iyer, K.C., Banerjee, P.S. Facilitators and inhibitors in sector wide technology transfer projects in developing economies: an empirical study. J Technol Transf 43, 172–197 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-015-9456-1

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