Technology transfer from foreign contractors to local contractors : a case study from new Kelani bridge construction project

Abstract

The highway infrastructure development sector contribute massively to the economic growth in Sri Lanka and Technology Transfer (TT) is essential to advancement of technologies used in construction. The road sector of Sri Lanka has taken series of initiatives on TT with their foreign funded road construction projects. Despite the involvement of local professionals in above projects, the outcome of technology transfer into Sri Lanka has not been evaluated to improve the rates of TT. Therefore, this research was carried out with the objective of appraising the effectiveness of Technology Transfer (TT) through local professionals based on the case study of New Kelani Bridge Construction Project (NKBP). A previously developed framework from literature review was utilized which has main seven enablers and value creations such as transfer environment, transferor characteristics of transferor, characteristics of transferee, advancement of the economy, advancement of knowledge and performance of the project. A questionnaire-based survey was used to collect the data from forty-seven (47) local professionals directly involved in project activities. The collected data was analyzed according to the framework and recommendations were summarized. TT Index of 76 was determined for overall performance of the NKBP and contract package 2 was the most effective in transferring technology among other contract packages with a TT index of 85. Dealing with government influences under the main factor of transfer environment had the lowest success values. Having studied the case in depth, reviewing the government policies, evaluation of government enforcement, encouraging joint venture arrangements with foreign companies, providing more training opportunities, conducting performance evaluations of local professionals after training are recommended to improve the underperforming perspectives of technology transfer in the future projects. This report assists Sri Lankan Road construction companies and government agencies to re-evaluate their policies.