Technology transfer in international joint venture projects in China

Li-Hua, Richard (2001) Technology transfer in international joint venture projects in China. Doctoral thesis, University of Northumbria at Newcastle.

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Abstract

Following the establishment of a theoretical framework for analysing the technology transfer process between construction industries in different countries, this thesis
presents findings from an investigation of international joint venture projects in the People's Republic of China. The main study was based on a structured survey which was carried out in Xinjiang, Henan and Jiangsu provinces after a pilot study had been completed on the huge Sino-foreign joint venture demonstration project at Xiaolangdi in Henan province. Both studies adopted a cross-cultural approach to investigation. An assessment inventory was designed for data collection on the pilot study. This proved to be useful technique and was modified for the main study. The findings suggested important implications for the relationship between technology transfer and economic development. Technology transfer is not obtainable if there is too big a gap in terms of economic development between transfer and transferee. The contribution of the study has been to confirm that technology transfer cannot properly take place without knowledge transfer. Moreover, knowledge transfer itself has a number of components, of which it is argued that explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge transfer are the most significant. There are a number of mechanisms already in place for explicit knowledge transfer and this research used the term method statement as a means of investigating their effectiveness. It was concluded that such systems are generally being used to good effect. Nevertheless, tacit knowledge transfer is considerably more haphazard and it is in this area that knowledge transfer can falter and technology transfer can be impeded. This study suggests means by which tacit knowledge transfer could be improved. The outcomes will enable policy-makers
within government, sponsors of projects and executives of companies involved to address the existing deficiencies and develop more appropriate arrangements for the transfer of tacit and explicit knowledge. In addition, it also leads the way for the introduction of systematic processes that could be specifically incorporated into World Bank projects that involve international technology transfer as a major feature.

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