Technology transfer: A survey of international construction companies

This paper reports on a survey of technology transfer undertaken by international construction companies in developing countries. The views of construction professionals with extensive work experience in developing countries were consulted in a questionnaire survey of top UK and U S consultants and contractors. The aim of the survey was to determine the areas of construction technology transfer that provide maximum benefit to local communities, the most effective way of improving technology transfer, the main obstacles experienced and how these obstacles may be overcome. The results show that several companies actively undertake technology transfer exercises in an ad hoc manner and their obligations to the recipients need to be specifically defined.