SUCCESSFUL CONTEXTUAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND DETERMINANTS OF CULTURE

Authors

Kassahun, Y.K., Ndegwah, D.J., & Kroesen, J.O.

Book: Handbook of Sustainable Engineering (Editors: Kauffman, Joanne and Kun-Mo Lee).

Pages: 895-919

Publication year: 2013

Publishers: Springer International Publishing

Abstract

Why do so many projects in which technology transfer is involved, fail? This chapter analyzes this problem and offers an alternative for well-intended but unreflected ways of dealing with technology transfer. The authors offer a comprehensive approach, taking into account the needs of the receiving society and the sociocultural context in which the technology should be embedded. Many examples, positive and negative, are mentioned from which such a methodology should learn and which in turn illuminate the methodology. The challenge consists in finding the right fit between technology and social needs, technology and social environment, and in addition to get the right management capacities and systems in place. This results in a comprehensive model of technology transfer. Its application requires cooperation between engineers and sociocultural researchers and takes the involvement of a diversity of stakeholders. The chapter analyzes the historic origin of various value systems and describes tools to analyze these differences. The value systems and ways of life that have emerged in history can be considered as a collection of repertoires of dealing with each other and with technology. Four types of such repertoires are distinguished in relation to the perspectives of time (past and future) and space (inside and outside). Different cultures cultivated a different set of such values. In the era of globalization these repertoires become a common stock for all members of world society. This approach opens the field for a deliberate trade-off and choice depending on time and situation between so-called traditional and so-called modern values. Sometimes training will be necessary in those human qualities, which may help at some time to speed up the functioning of the business or at another time slow down the rhythm in order to gain time for mutual understanding during a meeting. Sometimes collectivism and solidarity may be necessary, and at other times individual judgment and choice, etc. Successful technology transfer may depend on the right mix and equilibrium of such human qualities and values.