Manufacturing fitness for technology transfer

Summary form only given. The paper presents a comprehensive and pragmatic framework, which can explore mechanisms of technology transfer in the global economy. It is illustrated that it requires an in-depth study of three-phase processes and formation of a strategic alliance. This paper refers to “strategic alliance” as a business linkage between two or more companies that could facilitate a fast and smooth process of technology sharing, collaborative research and development, and perhaps even marketing support. In fact, many manufacturing companies are now forming their own Transfer and Strategy Alliance Divisions (TTSA). These divisions are usually responsible for marketing and licensing all of a company´s intellectual property to strategic partners throughout the world, as well as entering into new business alliances to expand the reach of the company´s technology and products. However, as the world market becomes more integrated as the technological standards become more international in scope; and as the cost of research and development programs expands, while product life cycles shorten; it becomes necessary for manufacturing companies to ensure that their technology is widely adapted as the technology of choice around the world. The degree to which that can be achieved depends on how fast the organizations move in forming their strategic alliances, and how flexible approaches are in processes of adaptation, implementation, and packaging