The role of technology transfer in improving manpower capability in private house building companies in Libya

During the last few decades, major transfers of enterprises ownership from public to private sector have taken place around the world, as there is strong evidence supporting the positive effects of privatisation. This change in the structure of economies in many developing countries, coupled with the rapid pace of population growth, have improved economic efficiency, peoples preferences, and have increased new housing demand. However, the problem of lack of adequate housing has been common in Libya for many years, due to the shortage of skilled professionals and the low level of knowledge in advanced techniques of construction among house builders. Therefore, the construction of houses has received much government attention, and has been identified as a priority within the government policy. The Libyan Government has a target of 450,000 houses; in a short time span, this level of construction will be very difficult to undertake with the existing skills. Therefore, the government has invited foreign companies to work with Libyan companies on completing large housing projects and improving manpower capability. In this context, technology transfer from foreign to local companies is seen as one of the most important features that improves the capability of privatised companies. However, in Libya, the integration with foreign companies has not been exploited in any systematic fashion. This study aims to recommend strategies to improve manpower capability through technology transfer within the context of the Government's privatisation and foreign investor attraction programmes. Whilst the Government aimed at an overall improvement in many areas of their economy through its liberalisation policies, this research, in particular, investigates the factors that are of critical importance in improving manpower capability with specific reference to its ability to address the prevailing housing shortage in Libya. Therefore, a conceptual model for a potential tripartite approach between the Government, Libyan Private House Building (LPHB) companies and foreign companies was articulated within this research. A multiple case study approach was adopted to conduct exploratory case studies into joint venture housing projects in Libya. Guided by this overarching method, qualitative data was collected utilising the semi-structured interview technique and review of company documentation. The primary data was analysed utilising the content analysis technique. The research findings suggest that there should be an interlinked tripartite strategy between the Government, foreign companies and local private house building companies to improve manpower capability so that the Government's housing targets are achieved and sustained. The proposed integrated framework offers a targeted approach to achieve a stepped change in achieving both a quantitative and qualitative growth in the housing sector in Libya. The research makes an original contribution to knowledge by: 1. Providing an insight into, and understanding of, the current status of Libyan manpower within LPHB companies, which will be a useful resource for both researchers (through the thesis, papers and journal publications), and practitioners (through the provision specification of a guidebook on improving manpower capability in the house building sector). 2. Relocating ideas and insights from privatisation literature within the research undertaken on technology transfer and private housing developments with the specific focus on the developing country context. 3. Providing a new example of the tripartite model for improving manpower capability in the Libyan Housing Sector conceptualised and validated within exploratory multiple case studies. 4. The research benefits both policy makers and practitioners in two distinct ways. It benefits policy makers by providing recommendations in respect of the introduction of technology appropriate to the Libyan market and technology transfer mechanisms. Practitioners in housing will benefit from this study by understanding both the technology acquisition as well as assimilation process.