Transferring appropriate manufacturing technologies for developing countries

Abstract

Purpose

This work attempts briefly to identify factors affecting the success of technology transfer in order to reduce the potential of incompatibilities in respect to micro‐ and macro‐ergonomics and to optimize the decision process of managers in DCs.

Design/methodology/approach

Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was selected as appropriate technique. The decision model developed in this research is specified in the context of micro‐ and macro‐ergonomics view of technology transfer in DCs.

Findings

Based on the AHP, it is possible to determine the global priority weights of different technology alternatives and examine the critical factors and benefits that affect the appropriateness of technology transfer based on micro‐ and macro‐ergonomics considerations. In its general form, the model provides a useful conceptual framework for evaluating alternative technologies in respect to ergonomics and suggests the ergonomics choices which must be made.

Originality/value

As noted above, this study is unique in its provides a holistic analysis of the risk factors that are expected to contribute to the inappropriateness of technology transfer, also provides a useful conceptual framework for evaluating alternative technologies and identifying incompatibility problems in respect to human factors, and can be extended to suggesting action for improving the decision process of managers.

Citation

Claire Erensal, Y. and Esra Albayrak, Y. (2008), "Transferring appropriate manufacturing technologies for developing countries", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 158-171. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410380810847891