Technology Transfer: Rejuvenating Matured Industries

by Moonan,Shastri

• ISBN13: 9780815329978
• ISBN10: 0815329970
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-12-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This study focuses on technology transfer in the steel mini-mill industry. It identifies two central issues: how capacity is built and how demand is sustained, developing a three-dimensional perspective to bring into sharp focus the desirability and necessity of technology transfer. The three-dimensional perspective focuses on the changes in the marketplace for flat steel sheets, the responsiveness and sensitivity to these market changes, and applying the best available technology to obtain a high quality product. Prior to this study, technology transfer has been examined in a bivariate relationship, namely, how technology transfer contributed to the development process in developing countries and Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs). The framework formulated in this study showed that Japan was lagging behind all the steel-producing countries because, like the NICs, it imported the physical and organizational technologies that fostered its prosperity. Based on primary and secondary research, this study revealed that high levels of operational efficiency and sophisticated product quality were achieved through continuous improvement culminating in Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) consisting of Real Time Process Control. On the other hand, the research also revealed that China based the improvement of its steel industry on self-reliance combined with judicious selection of foreign collaboration. The theoretical underpinnings of the crucial issues in this study led to the development of an interactive model of technology transfer based upon stock and flow variables.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	xi	(2)
List of Tables	xiii	(2)
List of Maps	xv	(2)
Foreword	xvii	(2)
Preface	xix
I INTRODUCTION	3	(8)
Resurgence of the Steel Industry	3	(1)
Steelmaking and Technology Transfer	4	(1)
Steel-Making Technology and Strategy	5	(2)
Technology Outlook for the Future	7	(4)
II AN OVERVIEW	11	(28)
Central Technologies of Steel Minimills	12	(6)
The Transfer of Steelmaking Technology	18	(13)
Modern Steel Technology	31	(8)
III THE SCRAP MARKET	39	(28)
IV TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER--LITERATURE REVIEW	67	(40)
The Market	67	(4)
Technological Progress	71	(5)
Models of Technology Transfer	76	(2)
A Synthesis of the Three Approaches	78	(4)
Toward a Dynamic Taxonomy of Technology Transfer	82	(5)
Steel Minimill Technologies	87	(20)
V A COMPARISON OF INTEGRATED STEEL MILLS WITH STEEL MINIMILLS	107	(22)
Product Types	107	(1)
Capacities of Mills	108	(1)
Geographic Locations	109	(2)
Raw Materials	111	(2)
Technology	113	(3)
Productivity	116	(3)
Employment Costs	119	(1)
Entry and Exit	120	(2)
Technology Trends	122	(7)
VI THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY	129	(36)
A Knowledge-Based Framework of Technology Transfer	129	(2)
Knowledge Architecture	131	(13)
Market Direction	144	(5)
Inter Industry Technology Transfer	149	(6)
The Technology Transfer Challenges	155	(1)
Technology Transfer Opportunities to China	156	(1)
The Technology Opportunities Generated in Europe and Latin America	157	(2)
Conclusion	159	(6)
VII JAPANESE CASE STUDY	165	(34)
The Evolution and Unique Contribution of the Modern Japanese Steel Industry	165	(8)
Steelmaking Locations in Japan	173	(8)
Three Key Developmental Characteristics of the Japanese Steel Industry	181	(1)
Lessons of Experience from Development of the Japanese Steel Industry	181	(18)
VIII THE DIRECTION OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER WITHIN THE STEEL INDUSTRIES IN NEWLY INDUSTRIALIZED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES	199	(34)
Different Economic and Technological Development Paradigms in NICs and LDCs	201	(6)
Options for Increasing Steel Capacity	207	(16)
Technological Prospects for NICs and LDCs	223	(6)
Conclusion	229	(4)
IX FUTURE RESEARCH	233	(8)
A Brief Review	233	(1)
A View to Future Studies	234	(3)
Stock and Flow Variables--an Interactive Model of Technology Transfer	237	(1)
The Pathfinding Nature of this Study	238	(3)
Glossary	241	(6)
Bibliography	247	(30)
Index	277