پژوهشهای مدیریت عمومی (Oct 2021)
An Innovative Model of Technology Transfer Abilities in Iran's Petrochemical Industry
Abstract
AbstractTechnology transfer abilities play an important role in the process of successful and effective technology transfer. Accordingly, this study sought to provide a practical model to identify the factors and indicators contributing to technology transfer abilities in downstream petrochemical industry. The present study is an applied and qualitative-quantitative research studies. The statistical population consisted of managers and experts in the relevant industry, and that the research questionnaire was designed according to the indicators identified from the literature and opinions of industry experts. Structural Equation Modeling running AMOS software was used to analyze the data and to examine the fit of the research theoretical model. The results show that a total of 82 indicators under the rubric of 8 factors contribute into the technology transfer abilities. Also, technology transfer abilities is in the first rank in the industry, and the technology adaptation abilities and development and improvement of technology abilities were ranked second and third in importance. This result suggests that senior managers and policy makers in the petrochemical industry should pay special attention to abilities of technology dissemination stage and strive to strengthen these factors.IntroductionDespite various obstacles to the full transfer of a technology from an industrialized country to a developing one, this transfer will be facilitated if it is based on a comprehensive plan. If we consider the driving force of industrial development based on three characteristics of access to raw materials, access to the market and access to technology, then downstream petrochemical companies in the country should seek to create strong brands so that they can maintain their position in the market by creating a competitive advantage so as to compete with leading international companies using technology transfer capacity and research and development networks, reducing the cost of the product, and increasing productivity. Unfortunately, the poor development of downstream petrochemicals industry has led to the failure of the industry due to various reasons such as lack of formulated strategies, technical inefficiencies, lack of aggregate and executive plans with a clear vision for development, liquidity problems and inappropriate financial support policies, lack of capacity for absorption, old technology and machinery, and managerial weaknesses.Such problems prompted lawmakers to pay special attention to the middle, complementary, and downstream industries, which are the movement for more added value in the development of the Sixth Development Plan. Accordingly, this study strived to identify important factors and indicators contributing into the technology transfer abilities in downstream petrochemical industries.Case studyCompanies active in the field of downstream petrochemical industriesTheoretical frameworkTechnology transfer includes the simultaneous acquisition of a set of abilities, so that after acquisition, it creates abilities in the organization. Characteristics of transferee and transferor and transferable items, as well as the transfer method are among the important factors in the effectiveness of technology transfer. Technology transfer requires the active participation of all partners and colleagues to increase their learning and capacity to enchant each other. Some of the most important solutions introduced by experts in order to choose the appropriate method of technology transfer are effective communication management with intermediary companies, using specialized managers in the field of technology management, and considering influential local factors in the relevant industry.The process of technology transfer includes three general stages: selection and acquisition, implementation of technology, and maintenance of technology, which encompasses six phases: identification and selection of technology, acquisition of technology, adaptation of technology, exploitation of technology, development and improvement of technology, and dissemination of technology. Some add learning and innovation phases to the above ones postulating that companies that transfer multiple technologies will learn and innovate over time as they replicate the process of technology transfer and hereby make future technology transfer more successful and effective.MethodologyThis research is applied in terms of the objectives and descriptive-survey in terms of research methodology. It is worth noting that the study is of qualitative-quantitative type. The statistical population of the study in the qualitative section consisted of 15 experts of downstream petrochemical industries who have actively participated in technology transfer projects. Furthermore, in the quantitative section, for factor analysis, the opinions of 388 managers and experts with the education level of higher than bachelor's degree were used to complete questionnaires. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by university professors and industry experts. Moreover, its reliability was measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Due to the normality of the data, structural equations and AMOS software were used to investigate the accuracy of the theoretical research model.Findings A total of 82 indicators under the rubric of 8 factors contribute to technology transfer abilities in downstream petrochemical industries. The impact of all 8 factors is significant. The results of the ranking indicate that the abilities of technology dissemination, technology adaptation and development and improvement are in the first to third ranks of importance in this industry.This suggests that the dissemination of imported or developed technology is of great significance in these industries which can play an important role in the expansion of the capacity to attract companies operating in this industry, as well as in the commercialization of products and other technological achievements.Conclusion In this article, general indicators of technology transfer capability were collected using existing literature and research studies; whereas specific indicators were collected by interviewing industry experts. Eventually, 91 indicators were identified and went under the rubric of 8 factors and the research questionnaire was accordingly formed. The validity of the questionnaire was scrutinized by industry and university experts and 6 indicators were eliminated at this stage. The final questionnaire was distributed among the statistical population and collected. To perform confirmatory factor analysis and evaluate the fit of the model, structural equation modeling was used running AMOS software and three more indicators were removed at this stage. It should be noted that the effect size of all 8 factors falls within the level of significance.
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