A behavioral study of international technology transfer between the United States and West Germany

Abstract

The process of transfer of technology across national boundaries has been the subject of increasing theorizing and case studies, but little in-depth research. The framework utilized by the Program of Research on the Management of Research and Development at Northwestern University for doing such research is presented. Methodological problems and some alternatives are presented in the development of a theoretical model considering a number of variables acting at various stages of the transfer process. A case study of technology transfer from a US firm to a German firm serves as a pilot test of the model as well as being of interest and providing empirical data in its own right.