Evaluating International Technology Transfer on Thai Construction Projects: A Case Study

Abstract

In an effort to more rapidly develop their infrastructure, economies and living standards, many newly industrialised countries, such as Thailand, have embarked on a series of international Technology Transfer (TT) initiatives within the construction and other industries. However, these initiatives have not immediately translated into enhanced capabilities and competitiveness within indigenous firms, resulting in a sustained reliance on foreign firms. With few clues as to why TT ventures have not created expected outcomes for the indigenous construction industry, these countries lack direction on how to more rapidly diffuse best-practice technology. In an attempt to improve rates of TT in the Thai construction industry, this paper reports on an attempt to appraise international TT performance on five large construction projects. A previously developed framework, developed by the authors, was utilised for this purpose and includes a total of six enabling and outcome perspectives, namely: (1) relationship building; (2) transferor characteristics; (3) transferee characteristics; (4) economic advancement; (5) knowledge advancement; and (6) project performance. A questionnaire survey was utilised to solicit TT performance scores from forty seven (47) Thai construction professionals working on these five projects. Summated TT performance scores are illustrated for the five companies using spider diagrams. Moreover, in-depth discussion on the forces driving such scores is provided. Evaluating international TT on construction projects is the first step to assist host construction firms and government agencies to yield greater value from such initiatives.