Abstract
This study investigates technology transfer and capabilities in the medical device industry of South Africa. This is done by observing the absorptive capacity of firms that manufacture medical devices domestically and the channels firms use to transfer technology and share knowledge. Using an exploratory sequential mixed method approach, the study employs online survey data on 16 domestic manufacturing firms, secondary trade data, patent data on medical technology and case study analysis of three firms and a government representative; the study shows that there is technology transfer in the industry. Furthermore, there is absorptive capacity in the industry that is sufficient for firms to facilitate technology transfer. It was observed that some of the key channels of a successful technology transfer from external sources have been from foreign direct investment through interaction with multinational companies, international trade through the purchase of machinery from developed countries and collaborations through joint ventures between research institutes and domestic firms. Internal channels of technology transfer identified were human resources development through training programmes such as workshops and research initiatives. No collaboration among domestic firms or inter-organisational technology transfer or knowledge sharing could be identified in relation to technology transfer or knowledge sharing at least in this study...
M.Phil. (Industrial Policy)