A model for an effective implementation of the government technology transfer policy in the Malaysian construction industry

Technology transfer has been defined as a process whereby technology used by one organisation is deliberately and systematically conveyed to another organisation who use it adapt it and further develop it. It can only be considered to be successful when it profits the economic and social development of the recipient, and can be further duplicated, adapted and improved by this recipient. However, more often, due to Inadequate planning and ineffective implementation, technology transfer failed to deliver the desired aim and objectives. The main aim of this research is to study the technology needs of the 'industry in facing the changing environment, how the government's technology transfer policy is implemented Mi the Malaysian construction industry including examining its objectives and impact to the industry. The Malaysian construction industry is yet to formulate its own technology transfer policy or implementation plan. However, based on the National Science and Technology Policy, it can be said that the main objectives of the industry's technology transfer programme are to improve product, process, productivity and services, to enlarge the organisation's technology stock and to stimulate the growth of innovation and technology development. In order to meet the rapid economic, social and technological changes, it is necessary for the Malaysian construction industry to acquire the technology that will enhance the capability to design, manage and construct specialised engineering projects such as tunnels, dams and power plants and high-tech large/tall buildings. There is also an urgent need for a more innovative managerial, material and construction technology to simplify housing construction process so as to improve quality and reduce cost, time and skilled labour input. However, the focus of the programme has been on the development of eye-catching mega projects such as the Petronas Tower, Kuala Lumpur Tower and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. This tends to benefit only a few selected large local companies, which would not have the chance to apply the acquired technology again. This is because it is unlikely that projects of similar nature will be build again in the country in the near future. Nevertheless, the acquired design, management and construction technology can be adapted for use in the development of low and high-rise buildings or even in housing development. It is found that the industry's technology transfer programme was short of delivering the desirable objectives and can be considered to be partially successful. It has contributed towards the successful development of a number of well design and complex buildings and engineering structures. It has also helped to instigate a significant improvement to the managerial and technical capability of a number of large Malaysian companies, which have successfully ventured into business in oil and gas, power-supply and heavy engineering sectors or overseas markets. It has also contributed towards and increased use of fast track project delivery systems. Unfortunately, it has failed to stimulate any significant improvement to the overall efficiency and capacity of the industry or greater use of advanced construction and management technology among the rest of the industry. At the same time, research and development in construction technology and the associated management and marketing techniques remain very minimal The limited success of the industry's technology transfer programme can be attributed to the inadequate planning and ineffective implementation. Before 1995, Malaysian construction industry did not have a central co-ordinating body to properly plan, organise, co-ordinate and monitor its technology transfer programme or to formally organise the participation of the local universities, R&D establishments, contractors associations and professional bodies to support the capturing and dissemination of the given technology. The industry also failed to utilise the science and technology infrastructure, incentives and facilities made available by the government. The process of technology transfer at the project level has been limited to the informal learning-by-doing how to apply the technology in production process. The process of capturing the given technology which includes learning how to adapt or improve the technology, further studying the technology, gathering and centralising all data and information about the given technology and utilising them to develop new technology have been given less attention or totally ignored. Less effort has also been made to disseminate the acquired technology either in its original or improved state. It is proposed that the Technology Development Division of the Construction Industry Development Board assumed the responsibility of planning and co-ordinating the industry's technology transfer programme. This will involve studying the technology needs of the industry, formulating a clear objective, strategy and policy and comprehensive implementation plan for the programme. It has also to establishment an effective mechanism for greater collaboration among the government agencies, client organisations, universities, R&D establishments, contractors' associations and professional institutions.