Managing International Technology Transfer: An Intra-Firm Approach
Ojakoski, Kirsi (2002)
Kuvaus
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Tiivistelmä
This study was undertaken to investigate the factors and activities which contribute to the effective management of intra-firm technology transfer between a parent company and its recently acquired foreign companies. Special focus was laid on analysing the management, organisation, means and activities in the implementation phase of the transfer process. The research question was addressed from the perspective of high technology companies.
The research was conducted by: a) reviewing the literature in the fields of international technology transfer (ITT), technology strategies, knowledge management in multinationals, foreign acquisitions; b) analysing the suitability of the ITT process models by earlier researchers for the intra-firm transfer purpose; and c) executing an exploratory and qualitative case analysis of one IT-company’s intra-firm technology transfer implementation. Valuable data for the analysis was gathered when the researcher worked as a project manager in the intra-firm technology transfer cases under study. The case was further explored by means of open interviews with the case company’s managers involved in the transfer process.
Based on the research findings, the study suggests an intra-firm technology transfer process model, which has been modified from the ITT process models by Al-Obaidi (1999a) and Nahar (2001). The study also identifies factors that are likely to lead to success or in contrary to un-success in technology transfer implementation, as well as activities that are necessary to enhance the effective implementation of the transfer. Validated by the case results, the study recognises especially the role of cooperation between the transfer partners, effective communication means, clear management structure and support as well as the impact of technology characteristics upon the successful transfer implementation. Knowledge of the factors and activities argued in this study can help both the technology supplier and receiver in the multinational companies, which are engaged into intra-firm technology transfer operations.
The research was conducted by: a) reviewing the literature in the fields of international technology transfer (ITT), technology strategies, knowledge management in multinationals, foreign acquisitions; b) analysing the suitability of the ITT process models by earlier researchers for the intra-firm transfer purpose; and c) executing an exploratory and qualitative case analysis of one IT-company’s intra-firm technology transfer implementation. Valuable data for the analysis was gathered when the researcher worked as a project manager in the intra-firm technology transfer cases under study. The case was further explored by means of open interviews with the case company’s managers involved in the transfer process.
Based on the research findings, the study suggests an intra-firm technology transfer process model, which has been modified from the ITT process models by Al-Obaidi (1999a) and Nahar (2001). The study also identifies factors that are likely to lead to success or in contrary to un-success in technology transfer implementation, as well as activities that are necessary to enhance the effective implementation of the transfer. Validated by the case results, the study recognises especially the role of cooperation between the transfer partners, effective communication means, clear management structure and support as well as the impact of technology characteristics upon the successful transfer implementation. Knowledge of the factors and activities argued in this study can help both the technology supplier and receiver in the multinational companies, which are engaged into intra-firm technology transfer operations.