Firm level absorptive capacity and the success of international technology transfer: The case of aerospace industry in Turkey

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Tezin Türü: Doktora

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi, İktisat Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2015

Öğrenci: BAŞAR SEÇKİN

Eş Danışman: İREM DİKMEN TOKER, ERKAN ERDİL

Özet:

This dissertation aims to figure out the relation between firm level absorptive capacity (AC) and the success of international technology transfer (ITT). Additionally, effects of determinants on the success of ITT other than firm level AC are examined. The research is focused on aerospace industry in Turkey by considering the transferee country’s point of view, as well as the developing country perspective. Thesis research stands at a position to answer the question of “what forms AC” in a holistic way. In this context, variables that affect the formation of AC of a company are gathered under three categories; “Knowledge Production”, “Knowledge Flow within the Company” and “Knowledge Flow within the Sectoral Innovation System (SIS)”. Although the study is focused on firm level capabilities, the variables are extracted and evaluated from the viewpoint of SIS. In order to identify and measure relevant determinants, questions are generated and ITT projects with varying scope together with firm level AC have been evaluated by industrial experts over a questionnaire. Thesis introduced a metric to quantify the sophistication level of ITT project considering the technical support provided by the transferor party. The results of econometric analysis designate that there exists a direct relation between the explanatory variables and the performance of ITT. Accordingly, there is an opportunity of making estimations for the future success of ITT projects based on the maturity of firm level absorptive capacity. The introduced variables and the questionnaire can be used as an effective tool in the planning phase of ITT projects. It can be implemented to a wide variety of high-technology areas in developing countries and may provide valuable inputs to policy makers on the eve of ITT projects.