An Innovative Model of Technology Transfer Abilities in Iran's Petrochemical Industry

AbstractTechnology transfer abilities play an important role in the process of successful and effective technology transfer. Accordingly, this study sought to provide a practical model to identify the factors and indicators contributing to technology transfer abilities in downstream petrochemical industry. The present study is an applied and qualitative-quantitative research studies. The statistical population consisted of managers and experts in the relevant industry, and that the research questionnaire was designed according to the indicators identified from the literature and opinions of industry experts. Structural Equation Modeling running AMOS software was used to analyze the data and to examine the fit of the research theoretical model. The results show that a total of 82 indicators under the rubric of 8 factors contribute into the technology transfer abilities. Also, technology transfer abilities is in the first rank in the industry, and the technology adaptation abilities and development and improvement of technology abilities were ranked second and third in importance. This result suggests that senior managers and policy makers in the petrochemical industry should pay special attention to abilities of technology dissemination stage and strive to strengthen these factors.IntroductionDespite various obstacles to the full transfer of a technology from an industrialized country to a developing one, this transfer will be facilitated if it is based on a comprehensive plan. If we consider the driving force of industrial development based on three characteristics of access to raw materials, access to the market and access to technology, then downstream petrochemical companies in the country should seek to create strong brands so that they can maintain their position in the market by creating a competitive advantage so as to compete with leading international companies using technology transfer capacity and research and development networks, reducing the cost of the product, and increasing productivity. Unfortunately, the poor development of downstream petrochemicals industry has led to the failure of the industry due to various reasons such as lack of formulated strategies, technical inefficiencies, lack of aggregate and executive plans with a clear vision for development, liquidity problems and inappropriate financial support policies, lack of capacity for absorption, old technology and machinery, and managerial weaknesses.Such problems prompted lawmake