An empirical study of the impact of absorptive capacity on technology transfer effectiveness in the flexible packaging industry in Thailand | |
| Author | Naruemon Whangthomkum |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.SM-05-07 |
| Subject(s) | Absorptive capacity (Economics)--Thailand Technology transfer--Thailand |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Absorptive capacity (AC) has been recognized as a key determinant of technology transfer effectiveness (TTE), but the concept is neither well understood in terms of definition nor in how the different dimensions of AC affect TIE and each of its dimensions. This dissertation analyzes AC and TTE in terms of its definition and dimensions, and empirically investigates the impact of AC on TTE in the flexible packaging industry in Thailand. This dissertation also explores what impact each AC dimension has on total TTE in the flexible packaging industry in Thailand as well as the impact each AC dimension has on each of the TTE dimension Findings from the quantitative analysis are that TTE is influenced by AC in the flexible packaging industry in all cases, the entire industry in Thailand, large firms, and small and medium enterprises. All AC dimensions impact on TTE for the total industry while only two dimensions of AC, the ability to recognize the value of new technology and the ability to assimilate the new technology, generally impact on larger firms. In small and medium enterprises, the two primary AC dimensions found in the sample are the ability to assimilate the new technology and the ability to apply the new technology. Findings in terms of each AC dimension is impact on each TTE dimension are that for the total industry all AC dimensions show a positive impact on two TTE dimensions, namely product and process performance and human resource capability. While only two AC dimensions, the ability to assimilate and the ability to apply the new technology, have a strong positive impact on the business performance dimension ofTTE. In large firms only one AC dimension, the ability to recognize the value of external new technology was found to have a strong impact on two TTE dimensions, namely product and process performance and human resource capability, while only one AC dimension, the ability to assimilate, supported business performance. For small and medium enterprises only the ability to apply the new technology has a strong positive impact on product and process performance of TTE while the ability to assimilate and the ability to apply the new technology supported business performance and human resource capability dimensions of TTE. This dissertation contributes to academics and practitioners better conceptual understanding of the dimension of AC and TTE, the relationship between AC and TTE, as well as the impact of each AC dimension on each TTE dimension. It also provides guidelines to practitioners for developing their firms' AC to improve TTE and long-term competitiveness by actively managing the key dimensions of AC and TTE. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Chairperson(s) | Igel, Barbara |
| Examination Committee(s) | Paul, Himangshu;Speece, Mark;Donyaprueth Krairit;Voratas Kachitvichyanukul;Sher, Peter |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |