Transferring technology from university to rural industry within a developing economy context: The case for nurturing communities of practice
Journal article, 2012

The primary aim of this paper is to demonstrate how technology transfer between universities and rural industries in developing countries can be achieved effectively, using independent research and advisory centres as intermediaries. It draws on a longitudinal action research study, which experiments with the process of nurturing and bridging communities of practice amongst recipients of technology and stakeholders concerned with technology diffusion, productivity and economic development. Its empirical evidence is from an academic-related, non-government intervention initiative targeting two small-scale industries, namely fish farming and coffee production, in the Cauca region of Colombia. Results demonstrate how barriers to transfer can be overcome. The intervention is considered as instrumental: its key components and outcomes are discussed in detail.

Communities of practice

latin-america

agricultural-research

University-to-industry technology transfer

innovation

Technology intermediation

systems

management

policy

Author

Nicholas Theodorakopoulos

Aston University

D. J. S. Preciado

University of Cauca

David Bennett

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Supply and Operations Management

Technovation

0166-4972 (ISSN)

Vol. 32 9-10 550-559

Subject Categories

Economics and Business

DOI

10.1016/j.technovation.2012.05.001

More information

Created

10/7/2017