Ganesan, S and Kelsey, J (2006) Technology transfer: International collaboration in Sri Lanka. Construction Management and Economics, 24(7), pp. 743-753. ISSN 1466433X
Abstract
The real tests for technology transfer are whether such transfers have contributed significantly to the vibrant development of the recipient industry. Technology transfer (TT) process that is knowledge driven demands a recipient industry with adequate capacity for absorbing new knowledge. International joint ventures and subcontracts employed in building material and construction can be serious vehicles of TT provided they contribute to providing higher quality inputs into the wider industry. These issues are examined through a survey of construction subcontracts during the period 1985-2002. The respondents indicated that moderately favourable conditions for TT existed in the completed projects. Nonetheless, the paper argues that negligible real productivity changes in construction in Sri Lanka in the recent decade point to stagnation in growth in local absorptive capacity. China in contrast has placed a balanced emphasis on upgrading building materials and equipment, design and construction, and built up an impressive absorptive capacity, with modernisation of the entire industry in prospect. The paper suggests advance planning for TT in foreign funded projects to ensure greater participation of local firms, together with a balanced focus on efficient and timely execution of projects, the profitability of participants, and realisation of TT goals.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | absorptive capacity; construction; modernisation; technology transfer |
| Index terms: | upgrading, survey, subcontract, absorptive capacity, technology transfer, China, collaboration, productivity, joint venture, building material, design and construction, Sri Lanka, profitability |
| Subjects: | Geography, theoretical framing, management, business, contract type, data collection methods, strategic management, economic analysis, knowledge management, contractual arrangements, building materials |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Contract Administration, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here