Strategic technology alliances, technology transfer and the performance of Malaysian manufacturer

Organizations are realizing the strategic importance of technology alliances to enhance and maintain their competitive advantage. The turbulent business environment compels firms to adopt appropriate technologies for effective and efficient operations. While many firms are inclined to source external technology or form alliances, there are various considerations that can affect the success of such initiatives. This study examines the relationship between factors enabling strategic technology alliances (STAs), technology transfer and organizational performance. Based on three theories namely: Resource-based View (RBV); Organizational Learning Theory (OLT); and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this paper presents a model on the antecedent and outcomes of STA that is analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings depict that absorptive capacity, type of alliances; relative advantage and perceived ease of technology implementation affect the alliance, which in turn determine organizational performance. Further tests show that technology transfer only partially mediates the relationship between STA and organizational performance. This research provides platforms and consideration for the implementation of new technologies and capabilities in manufacturing firms in a developing nation

An integration of theories to identify the factors enabling strategic technology alliances

Organisations are realising the strategic importance of technology alliances to enhance their competitiveness. Today’s business environment compels firms to adopt appropriate technologies for effective and efficient operations. While many firms are inclined to source external technology or form alliances, there are various considerations that can affect the success of such initiatives. This study will focus on the relationship between factors enabling strategic technology alliances (STAs) and organisational performance. Based on four theories namely: Resource-based View (RbV); Transaction Cost Economics (TCE); Organisational Learning Theory (OLT); and Diffusion of Innovations (DoI), this paper presents a model on strategic technology alliance (STA) with specific focus on the factors enabling STA, that will eventually lead to positive organisational performance. The model then enables several empirically testable propositions that are relevant to develop a survey instrument for this study

An assessment of technology transfer in Malaysian manufacturers and the impact on performance and innovativeness

Technology transfer through strategic technology alliances (STAs) is found to be a common initiative used by Malaysian manufacturing organizations to reap more effective outcomes. This study explores the influence of organizations’ available resources, absorptive capacity and opportunistic behavior on technology transfer; as well as the resultant impact on firm performance and innovativeness. This study is based on a larger research of Strategic Technology Alliances in Malaysian manufacturing organizations. The findings indicate that technology transfer is highly dependent on firms’ absorptive capacity, and can be capitalized for improved performance and innovativeness in firms. The study provides platforms and opportunities for more effective managerial decision making as well as strategic development and allocation of resources in the manufacturing industry. Additionally, this study also informs government’s business support service strategy in the economic and commercial viability of Malaysian manufacturing activities and products

Exploring technology transfer and new product development through organisational learning in strategic technology alliances

This study examines the effects of organisational learning on technology transfer and new product development using data collected from 335 manufacturing organisations in Malaysia engaging in strategic technology alliances (STAs). The constructs utilised to evaluate organisational learning are absorptive capacity, nature and type of alliance, and learning environment. The results indicated that all three constructs significantly predict technology transfer. However only absorptive capacity showed strong positive support for new product development. The findings of this suggest that firms should consider their strategies and learning objectives when embarking on collaborative relations, as these can result in technological competencies and ultimately the capacity to develop new innovative products in the manufacturing industr

Strategic technology alliance in manufacturing firms: a conceptual paper.

As organisations deal with dynamic and competitive business environments, many of them face impending issues and challenges in keeping up with technology advancements. Apparently, a number of firms have realised the benefit of forming strategic technology alliances (STAs) with other firms. However, there is little empirical research conducted on this growing practice. This research intends to investigate the drivers of STAs; and if success factors of STAs enable the effective performance of firms. Based on a critical review of the literature, this study aims to integrate five theories that are prominently used in the study of alliances, technology and innovation to form a conceptual framework for empirical investigation of STAs in Malaysian and Australian manufacturing firms. The findings from this study at a later stage will provide theoretical and practical implications into the management perspectives and outcomes of STAs that are formed with the focus of technology in the manufacturing industry

Evaluating technology transfer and the performance of manufacturing SMEs

Technology acceptance model (TAM) although pertinent in technology alliances, has received very little attention in the literature on collaborations. This research examines technology alliances formed by Malaysian manufacturing SMEs for technology acquisition and their performance outcomes. This research adopts two of TAM’s constructs (relative advantage and ease of use) to examine their relationships with organisational performance; with STA as a mediator. Results are established through survey data from 242 manufacturing SMEs and analysed using structural equation modelling. Our findings establish that forming STA is crucial in enhancing organisational performance. This study provides consideration for Malaysian manufacturing SMEs in enhancing their technological capabilities so as to sustain competitiveness and accelerating the industrialisation of the natio

Strategic technology alliances, technology transfer and the performance of Malaysian manufacturers

Organizations are realizing the strategic importance of technology alliances to enhance and maintain their competitive advantage. The turbulent business environment compels firms to adopt appropriate technologies for effective and efficient operations. While many firms are inclined to source external technology or form alliances, there are various considerations that can affect the success of such initiatives. This study examines the relationship between factors enabling strategic technology alliances (STAs), technology transfer and organizational performance. Based on three theories namely: Resource-based View (RBV); Organizational Learning Theory (OLT); and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this paper presents a model on the antecedent and outcomes of STA that is analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings depict that absorptive capacity, type of alliances; relative advantage and perceived ease of technology implementation affect the alliance, which in turn determine organizational performance. Further tests show that technology transfer only partially mediates the relationship between STA and organizational performance. This research provides platforms and consideration for the implementation of new technologies and capabilities in manufacturing firms in a developing nation

Evaluating innovation adoption attribute in technology transfer

This paper explores the impact of technology transfer on innovative capabilities and organisational performance in Malaysian manufacturers based on a survey of 335 Malaysian manufacturing organisations forming strategic technology alliances (STAs) to acquire external technologies. Established from the Diffusion of Innovations (DoI) theory, three innovation adoption attributes were utilised to form a structural equation model. The findings suggest that external technology acquisition alone is insufficient to sustain the long-term organisational performance and innovative capabilities in the Malaysian manufacturing industry. Recommendations are made for such organisations to develop their internal R&D and innovative capabilities so as to reap continued performance outcomes

An evaluation of learning and innovation through strategic technology alliances in Malaysian manufacturers

This paper examines the relationship between organisational learning (absorptive capacity, nature of strategic technology alliances and learning environment) and innovation adoption (relative advantage and ease of use) in strategic technology alliances (STAs) with organisational performance. It also explores if technology transfer has a mediating effect on the outcomes. The results are based on survey data from 335 manufacturing organisations in Malaysia that have engaged in STA. This study which utilised Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), establishes that Malaysian manufacturers need to foster organisational contexts that are conducive for developing learning abilities as well as their technical knowledge and capabilities, in order to achieve superior manufacturing performance

Evaluating technology transfer and new product development in Malaysian manufacturers

This paper is based on a larger study of Strategic Technology Alliances in the Malaysian manufacturing industry; and examines how organisational learning attributes (comprising absorptive capacity, nature and type of alliances and learning environment) affect technology transfer and new product development. Results are established through survey data from 335 organisations and analysed using structural equation modelling. Our findings establish that technology transfer is highly dependent on learning attributes and that this capability can result in innovative new product development. This study provides consideration for Malaysian manufacturers in enhancing their technological capabilities so as to sustain competitiveness and accelerating the industrialisation of the nation