International technology transfer: perceptions and reality of quality and reliability

Author(s):

David Bennett (Professor of Technology Management, Aston Business School, Birmingham, UK)

Hongyu Zhao (Senior Consultant, Euro‐Group International Inc., Beijing, China)

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Abstract:

Impressions about product quality and reliability can depend as much on perceptions about brands and country of origin as on data regarding performance and failure. This has implications for companies in developing countries that need to compete with importers. For manufacturers in industrialised countries it has implications for the value of transferred technologies. This article considers the issue of quality and reliability when technology is transferred between countries with different levels of development. It is based on UK and Chinese company case studies and questionnaire surveys undertaken among three company groups: UK manufacturers; Chinese manufacturers; Chinese users. Results show that all three groups recognise quality and reliability as important and support the premise that foreign technology based machines made in China carry a price premium over Chinese machines based on local technology. Closer examination reveals a number of important differences concerning the perceptions and reality of quality and reliability between the groups.

Keywords:

Technology led strategy, Product development, Quality, Reliability management, United Kingdom, China

Type:

Research paper

Publisher:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright:

© Emerald Group Publishing Limited 2004
Published by Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Citation:

David Bennett, Hongyu Zhao, (2004) "International technology transfer: perceptions and reality of quality and reliability", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 15 Issue: 5, pp.410-415, https://doi.org/10.1108/17410380410540408

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