Transfer of Technology and Devloping Nations

In light of the fact that the considerable diplomatic efforts that have been made toward the promulgation of an international code of conduct on the transfer of technology that might soon be crowned with success, this Article examines the so called technology development debate. It considers some of the reasons for the determination of developing countries to obtain a commitment from the industrialized countires to adhere to a code of conduct. The Article attempts to evaluate the likley success that the unfettered access of developing countries to advanced technologies will have in promoting economic development. It also identifies some unintended negative consequences that this access might produce. Finally, the Article examines a number of alternative strategems for the technological transformation of developing countries

U.S. Software Protection: Problems of Trade Secret Estoppel under International and Brazilian Technology Transfer Regimes Note

This note describes the fundamental aspects of software protection and applies the requisites of U.S. trade secret protection to software. After explaining how the UNCTAD and Brazilian transfer of technology regimes apply to software licensing arrangements, this note argues that software distribution under these regimes estops U.S. trade secret protection by defeating the requisites of secrecy and competitive advantage. Specifically, the effects of the UNCTAD Draft International Code of Conduct on the Transfer of Technology (UNCTAD Code) and the Brazilian technology transfer regulations are analyzed to demonstrate the difficulties posed by legal regimes being considered and already in force in a number of developing countries. This note concludes with an analysis of some of the possibilities for protection of trade secrets with international softward distribution

The transfer of technology

There have been a number of studies which have attempted to identify factors affecting successful technology transfer. However, empirical studies of technology transfer, at the level of the user, have been a much neglected area of research despite numerous promptings. Too much attention has been paid to single factor explanations of success, although it is widely accepted that success is a multi-faceted phenomenon. There is also an absence of a suitable definition of success which reflects its multi-dimensional character. This research, therefore, attempts to develop a suitable multi-faceted measure for success and an identification of factors affecting success in the study of the user uptake phase of a technology transfer process; namely the introduction of cook chill technology into catering operations in the UK. A survey of 80 cook chill operations in the UK was undertaken and detailed information was collected from each. A multi-faceted measure of success was developed by using 10 carefully selected success criteria. Each cook chill operation in the sample was allocated a 'score' for each success factor. This process culminated in the formation of a 'success table' of cook chill operations in the sample which enabled the identification of those units which were the most successful and those which were the least successful throughout the technology transfer process. There were numerous differences between the activities of the successful group and those of the unsuccessful group throughout the initiation, implementation and assessment phases of the technology transfer process. The findings of this research, therefore support the notion of success as being multi-faceted. Some of the major factors seen to affect success included: management stability, the extent, quality and efficiency of precook chill development work, communication and involvement with employees and appropriate training, adherence to the technical requirements of the system and a research and development orientation. The overriding finding, however, was the tendency shown by the managers in the successful group to be proactive and those in the unsuccessful group to be reactive

The transfer of technology to measure skin burn depth in humans

Discussed here is the use of ultrasonic techniques originally used to locate cracks in metal structues to measure burn wound depth in humans. Acoustic impedance, performance tests, and the theoretical model are discussed. Measurements of skin burns on anesthetized pigs made with the the ultrasonic instrumentation were in agreement with diagnoses made by a physician, and subsequently confirmed by the healing process. Researchers felt that the concept proved useful in a clinical setting and that the instrument and concept were ready to extend to the manufacturer

The Differential Performance of Information Channels in the Transfer of Technology

Communication and technology transfer among engineers and scientists in research and development program

Judging The International Transfer Of Technology

International transfer of technology is a widely discussed area in the scientific\ud literature. Although many different factors are discussed in the literature that affect the transfer\ud of technology, it is not clear how to judge the performance of companies involved in\ud international technology transfer. In this paper indications are given on how the performance of\ud companies involved in the international transfer of technology can be judged. This is done by\ud first explaining what is meant by international transfer of technology in the context of this paper.\ud Based on this, a process model is developed for the transfer of technology. Several possible\ud viewpoints of judging are given related to the efficiency and effectiveness of the technology\ud transfer. However, judging the efficiency and effectiveness depends on the developed process\ud model and is cumbersome and subjective. Therefore, the application of an alternative instrument,\ud the learning curve is introduced. The learning curve offers great potential to judge the transfer of\ud technology because it is an aggregate measurement of the production performance. Companies\ud involved in a technology transfer have to be aware though that the learning rate can not simply\ud be copied. The case studies lead to the conclusion that for the transfer process a constant curve is\ud assumed but that in practice the learning rate at the Destination Company is lower than at the\ud Source Company