Technological knowledge transfer from foreign partners to Uganda’s international joint ventures

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Date
2006
Authors
Muhenda, Mary Basaasa
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Abstract
knowledge transfer from foreign partners to IJV in Uganda’s manufacturing sector. It also examines whether the effect of these factors is contingent on IJV manufacturing experience. The focus on IJV is crucial given that the Government encourages local firms to form joint partnerships with foreign firms as a way of taping into external technological bases. The goal is to acquire and adopt new knowledge to foster industrialization upon which the country will depend for its economic growth and for survival in the global village. The study; cross sectional in nature conducted a census using a self-administered questionnaire in addition to key informant interviews. Each IJV was represented by a CEO as respondent giving a total of 103 respondents. Factor and reliability analysis, multiple and hierarchical regression were the various statistical analysis carried out using SPSS. The findings of this study confirm a fairly low incidence of transfer of technological knowledge from foreign partners to IJV and also indicate that learning and development and structural attachment have a positive significant effect on the extent of transfer of technological knowledge. The study also revealed that the effect of communication behavior, structural attachment and creativity and flexibility on transfer extent is contingent on IJV manufacturing experience. The findings are in line with Blau’s (1964) social exchange theory which recognizes the importance of investing in irrecoverable resources in a relationship to create ties that set an expectation of reciprocity. The findings are also in line with the networks theory which posits that linkages to supplement existing resources are unavoidable in the era of globalization. However the study also revealed that there are a number of areas where interventions can be instituted in order to realize enhanced knowledge transfer. One major implication arising from the findings is that clear and unambiguous provisions defining and regulating relationships at the inception of joint partnerships ought to be adopted. This will provide a framework for nurturing close trusting relationships that facilitate mutual exchange of critical resources. It is also imperative for Uganda Government to review existing knowledge transfer strategies by offering more support to learning and development and building close ties between IJV and foreign partners. Future research could be directed to conducting a longitudinal study to investigate the effects of technical and organizational infrastructure factors on the extent of transfer of knowledge. Other types of knowledge preferably in service industries could also be investigated since this study only investigated technological knowledge in the manufacturing sector.
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PhD
Keywords
Management , Technological knowledge , Manufacturing industries
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