Technology Transfer Via University-Industry Relations: The Case of the Foreign High Technology Electronic Industry in Mexico's Silicon Valley

by Vargas,Maria Isabel Rivera

• ISBN13: 9780415931915
• ISBN10: 0415931916
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-25
• Publisher: RoutledgeFalmer

Summary

This book examines the technology that is transferred in Mexico's Silicon Valley and the role that institutions of higher education and foreign electronics corporations play in the process. Riveria Vargas delineates that technology transfer is occurring, describes it nature, the channels of transfer, and its level by focusing on the informal mechanisms of technology transfer. Among the significant findings are that there has been very limited real technology transferred and that most of it is concentrated in operative-level capabilities. This study reveals that the lack of absorptive scientific and technological capacity, as a factor often cited to explain transfer failure, did not apply in the case of the region examined. In point of fact, the scientific and technological capacities exhibited in the region are superior to those in the Silicon Valley of the East in Malaysia during the 1970's and 1980's , where some studies reported more significant technology transfer. What then are the factors hinderingtechnology transfer in some regions or promoting it in others? This book explores some the factors in play.

Table of Contents

List of Tables, Graphs and Figures	xi
Acronyms	xv
Acknowledgments	xvii
Introduction	1	(14)
Significance of the Study	2	(1)
Research Design, Theoretical Basis	3	(3)
Introduction to the Problem	6	(1)
Contextual Framework	7	(2)
The Problem Before Us	9	(2)
Limitations of the Study	11	(1)
Outline of the Study	12	(3)
The Role of Higher Education, Corporations and Technology Transfer	15	(18)
Multinational Corporations, their Expansion and Technology Transfer	15	(7)
University-Industry Relationship and Technology Transfer	22	(2)
Foreign Direct Investment and Consequences in the Host Country	24	(2)
Technology Transfer in Mexico: A Review of the Literature	26	(7)
Higher Education and Its Link to the Industrial Sector	33	(18)
Funding for Higher Education and Research	33	(4)
Funding of the Scientific and Technological Activities, Their Extent and Distribution	37	(3)
Higher Education's Response to the Productive Sector	40	(4)
University-Industry Cooperation in Guadalajara	44	(7)
The Electronics Industry in Jalisco: Development and Participation	51	(26)
The Development of the Electronics Industry in Mexico	51	(2)
The Legal Framework	53	(4)
The Electronics Industry in Jalisco	57	(8)
Technology in Jalisco's Electronics Industry	65	(3)
The Level of Integration of Foreign Industry within the National Economy	68	(1)
The Foreign High Technology Electronics Industry's Participation in Mexico's Silicon Valley	69	(8)
Technology Transfer and Assimilation	77	(56)
University-Industry Cooperative Relationships	77	(19)
Impressions and Perceptions of the Relationship	96	(4)
The Mechanisms of Technology Transfer	100	(19)
The Technology Transferred, its Nature and its Level	119	(8)
The Technology Transfer Channels	127	(2)
Summary of Findings	129	(4)
The Availability of Relevant Skills as an Indicator of Absorptive Capacity	133	(12)
Evolution of Engineering Education Offerings	134	(1)
Number of Graduates in the Fields of Engineering	135	(3)
Demand and Supply of Engineering Personnel	138	(7)
Scientific and Technological Activities as Indicators of Absorptive Capacities	145	(24)
Investment in Research and Development	146	(5)
Human Resources in Research and Development	151	(2)
Scientific and Technological Productivity	153	(16)
Jalisco is Just on the Brink	169	(18)
From Theory to Reality	170	(2)
What Hinders Technology Transfer in Mexico's Silicon Valley	172	(3)
Reflections and Recommendations for Future Studies	175	(4)
APPENDICES
Appendix A Common University-Industry Linkages	179	(4)
Appendix B Excerpts of the Legal Framework for Foreign Direct Investment	183	(2)
Appendix C Definitions of Concepts	185	(2)
References	187	(10)
Author Index	197	(4)
Subject Index	201