Hemais, Carlos Alberto (1992) Firm-level transfer of technology : an empirical study of modes of international commercialisation of technology in British industry. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The thesis examines the process of technology transfer in British firms. The
literature on modes, causes and effects of technology transfer says little about how
British firms transfer their technology abroad. A firm-level study was chosen because
most international technology transfer happens not between countries but between
firms, even if these firms are in different countries. The present research uses data
from British industry, which is still one of the major sources of technology in the world
and its firms represent an important example of the role of technology supplier.
The adopted methodology consisted of a pilot study, conducted through
interviews with executives related to technology in six different firms, using a semi-structured
questionnaire, and a survey, conducted through a structured mail-questionnaire,
sent to British firms which transfer technology overseas.
In the light of an extensive literature review and the pilot study, several non-exclusive
dimensions of the transfer of technology related to home market,
. technology, foreign government policy, firm's attribute and foreign market were
identified and an analytical framework was developed, aggregating those
dimensions, that were tested through the survey.
The findings suggest that two main groups emerged from the sample. One is
described as market/investment led. Its firms usually transfer their latest technology,
prefer licensing as their main form of going abroad, are more aggressive, impulsive
and dynamic and they transfer their technologies independent of their concerns about
the consequences that it can bring to them. The other group is described as
control/relationship orientated and its firms are more conservative, follow an
incremental mode of internationalisation, do not transfer their latest technology and
tend to collude with other firms in a foreign market.
The decision of the firms on international operations is generally not
influenced by characteristics of the home market or the age of technology. Similarly,
attributes of the firms do not appear to have a major influence. Foreign government
policy is recognised as very important in defining the process of technology transfer
and attributes of foreign markets are important enough to motivate firms to go
abroad.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor T Technology > T Technology (General)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Technology transfer -- Great Britain, Corporations -- Great Britain -- Case studies, Technology -- International cooperation
Official Date:	September 1992
Dates:	Date Event September 1992 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Wensley, Robin, 1944- ; Whittington, Richard, 1958-
Sponsors:	Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior ; Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
Extent:	xvi, 295 p.
Language:	eng

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