Building a Framework for Understanding and Improving Information Technology Transfer Process in the Arab Countries Khalid Al-Mabrouk School of Information Systems University of Southern Queensland, Australia Email: [email protected]Jeffrey Soar School of Information Systems University of Southern Queensland, Australia Email: [email protected]Abstract Transfer of information technology (IT) is becoming an increasingly important challenge for developing countries. IT transfer is risky and time-consuming due to the complex processes that it involves. Existing literature shows that few efforts have been made to understand and improve IT transfer and its process in the Arab countries. This paper reports on research in progress that aims to address that gap through empirical research in the Arab countries. The research found that six interacting stages provided a model within which IT transfer process can be understood: assessment and selection; acquisition; adaptation; absorption and assimilation; diffusion; and development. Based on this model, the IT transfer process can be understood by applying the Delphi method to identify the issues that comprise each stage of the process. Thus, a two-round Delphi-type survey was designed and conducted in this study to identify major issues for the successful IT transfer process in developing countries from the perceptions of stakeholder groups in the Arab countries. Attempts to map issues to a descriptive model allow discrimination between substantive issues. Structured coding, model approach (IT transfer process model) and synthesis procedures resulted in a master set of 10 major issue categories, and 71 sub-issues. This paper serves to focus discussion and promote constructive interaction for the purpose of understanding and improving the nuances of the IT transfer process in developing countries in general and in the Arab countries in particular. Keywords: IT transfer process, Delphi method, Arab countries. 1. INTRODUCTION Transfer of enabling technology is one beneficial and significant way countries can improve their developmental progress and achieve higher living standards. Thus, technology transfer has become increasingly important since successful execution of technology transfer projects can provide benefits to developing countries. Through the transfer of technology, developing countries are able to obtain access to foreign markets, improve technological capabilities, and develop the capacity to generate their own technology (Cohen 2004). Information technology (IT) is one of the most appropriate and dynamic technologies, and can play a major role in the process of technological development in developing countries. 1
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Building a Framework for Understanding and Improving Information Technology Transfer Process in the Arab
Countries
Khalid Al-Mabrouk School of Information Systems
University of Southern Queensland, Australia Email: [email protected]
Jeffrey Soar
School of Information Systems University of Southern Queensland, Australia
Transfer of information technology (IT) is becoming an increasingly important challenge for developing countries. IT transfer is risky and time-consuming due to the complex processes that it involves. Existing literature shows that few efforts have been made to understand and improve IT transfer and its process in the Arab countries. This paper reports on research in progress that aims to address that gap through empirical research in the Arab countries. The research found that six interacting stages provided a model within which IT transfer process can be understood: assessment and selection; acquisition; adaptation; absorption and assimilation; diffusion; and development. Based on this model, the IT transfer process can be understood by applying the Delphi method to identify the issues that comprise each stage of the process. Thus, a two-round Delphi-type survey was designed and conducted in this study to identify major issues for the successful IT transfer process in developing countries from the perceptions of stakeholder groups in the Arab countries. Attempts to map issues to a descriptive model allow discrimination between substantive issues. Structured coding, model approach (IT transfer process model) and synthesis procedures resulted in a master set of 10 major issue categories, and 71 sub-issues. This paper serves to focus discussion and promote constructive interaction for the purpose of understanding and improving the nuances of the IT transfer process in developing countries in general and in the Arab countries in particular. Keywords: IT transfer process, Delphi method, Arab countries. 1. INTRODUCTION
Transfer of enabling technology is one beneficial and significant way countries can improve
their developmental progress and achieve higher living standards. Thus, technology transfer
has become increasingly important since successful execution of technology transfer projects
can provide benefits to developing countries. Through the transfer of technology, developing
countries are able to obtain access to foreign markets, improve technological capabilities, and
develop the capacity to generate their own technology (Cohen 2004). Information technology
(IT) is one of the most appropriate and dynamic technologies, and can play a major role in the
process of technological development in developing countries.
This paper has presented a model for understanding and improving the IT transfer process in
developing countries. Most organisations in developing countries have not been able to
transfer IT projects effectively and successfully. This is mainly due to a lack of an effective
model for successful IT transfer process in developing countries. Through following exact
scientific methods, a model for understanding IT transfer process has been developed. The
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model provides organisations in developing countries with a detailed picture of the stages for
IT transfer process, so that a better understanding may be gained. Organisations are able to
utilise the model effectively, reduce the difficulties associated with IT transfer innovation,
enhance the chances for long-term success of the IT innovation projects and attain high
benefits of technology transfer itself.
Based on this model, a number of issues for successful IT transfer process has been identified
applying the Delphi method. This article serves to focus discussion and promote constructive
interaction for the purpose of understanding and improving the nuances of the IT transfer
process in developing countries in general and in the Arab countries in particular.
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Appendix A: Categorisation of issues and sub-issues
Major Issue Sub-Issue Social & Culture • Encourage increased use of English language within the Arab environment to assist in adoption
of new technologies • Improve individual levels of education to promote general understanding and recognition of
the benefits of IT adoption • Encourage universities to adopt and maintain programs that will improve knowledge and
adoption of contemporary technology in both current and new generations • Promote team work that encourages open, intensive and effective communication to build an
environment of trust that will enhance successful IT transfer among users • Embrace technology transfer to improve social and individual lifestyles, without compromising
local customs and traditions • Identify and evaluate individual and collective attitudes towards technology among different
socioeconomic groups • Grant a higher degree of political freedom to recognised technical and technological
professionals who can contribute to the viability of IT adoption • Enhance numbers of skilled academics and educators by offering higher wages and labour
incentives to compete with international markets • Modify software and some of the English programmes for compatibility with Arabic language • Enhance technical facilities and pedagogical approaches to boost IT transfer • Create a relationship between university-organisation based on IT development and
improvement
Economic • Promote financial growth of individuals and organisations • Evaluate effectiveness and quality of candidate technology transfer • Develop technical skills in individuals, the labour force and organisations to achieve high
standards in quality • Evaluate market needs according to available professionals who could achieve the IT transfer • Provide the necessary social and financial environment to further expand and develop IT
transfer • Identify and evaluate individual and collective attitudes towards acceptance of technology
among different socioeconomic groups • Control and satisfy the needs of users or consumers and organisations • Seek financial investment for new IT research and development in the Arab countries
Government Policies
• Develop a national strategic plan to monitor the direction of transferred technological change at the individual and organisation level
• Formulate flexible government policies, with assistance from private and public corporations, for the selection and introduction of technology
• Promote flexible financial and government policies that encourage individual and organisational learning and adoption of new technologies
• Promote government policies to enhance management leadership in technological projects • Adopt and enforce government policies aligned to internationally recognised technology
development • Promote government policy aligned with national and international financial systems to
support education and adoption of technology development • Develop government policies and incentives for increased annual growth and income
distribution at the local and national levels
Political Stability • Develop and maintain an innovative industrial and technological climate to create social and financial benefits
• Enforce national government policy that increases local development and provides financial benefits • Maintain political freedom and stability to foster national reputation and enhance technological investment
and adoption • Identify individual characteristics and attitudes toward technology into different social classes
Major Issue Sub-Issue Technological Capabilities
• Measure attitudes towards R&D learning and commercialisation capabilities • Improve and share knowledge capability for sustained technology adoption • Create R&D incentives to individuals and organisations to improve skill levels and
productivity and financial gains in IT acquisition and development • Expand innovation capability to create and carry new technologies or make radical
modifications
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• Establish environment wherein indigenous people are able to adopt technology on an individual or organisational level
• Measure attitudes, performance and effectiveness of R&D • Enforce plans for improving technical conditions of production • Promote training courses to enhance technological knowledge required for undertaking new IT
projects • Recognise previous experience with similar IT projects transferred and implemented
Organisational • Initiate and promote training and financial incentives to encourage IT learning and implementation
• Identify what will and will not be supported by technology suppliers in the IT transfer project • Make use of the consultation services concerning IT transfer and receive support for the quick
and efficient realization of practical applications for best results • Identify and create a learning environment that develops the skills required to access
information • Promote a work environment that encourages participation and learning by staff in meeting
organisational objectives • Encourage, evaluate and reward initiatives of IT managers in generating innovative IT transfer
policies • Promote high level of effective open management style to succeed in the IT transfer process • Recognise participation of the stakeholders in IT transfer and development • Increase staff awareness on role and benefits of IT to the organisation • Adopt and maintain an environment for improved knowledge sharing and open, effective
communication between transferee and transferrer • Ensure effective control and risk management for the successful implementation of IT transfer
Strategic • Formulate and develop a strategic plan that focuses on the actual IT transfer process and its implementation
• Identify resource requirements and benefits expected from IT transfer project • Identify and appoint full-time, cooperative personnel with project experience to establish and
implement new technology programs • Implement effective international and domestic coordination processes for monitoring and
implementing technology transfer • Seek top-level support from technology suppliers for strategic and operational guidance • Incorporate flexible risk management strategies that enable successful implementation of IT
transfer and accommodate technological change • Encourage government to play both leadership and supportive roles to provide a favourable
environment for growth Adequate Infrastructure
• Increase and accelerate the development and implementation of an appropriate framework to build responsive ICT and associated IT systems within the Arab countries
• Develop safety and social work systems • Establish research and development centres to evaluate, promote and encourage technological
growth and development in the Arab countries • Create incentive systems for innovation activities • Identify skills and availability of experienced IT staff who are capable of adopting and
applying new knowledge • Assess availability of suitable equipment required for IT adoption process • Evaluate the availability of financial resources to enhance or build organisational IT
infrastructure Major Issue Sub-Issue IT Suppliers • Identify and utilize competitive and high quality suppliers.
• Encourage government to reward technology suppliers who engaged in favourable business practices
• Develop open and effective relationships for information sharing between suppliers and acquirers of technology
• Formally evaluate suppliers’ performance against organisational requirements
Geographical & Location
• Identify the location of competitors and suppliers • Consider the attitude and reaction of local community to location to the candidate technology • Recognise the need to improve environment, and support that process with more technology