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RETHINKING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER POLICY
Author(s) -
Rahm Dianne
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
southeastern political review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1747-1346
pISSN - 0730-2177
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-1346.1994.tb00402.x
Subject(s) - argument (complex analysis) , technology transfer , political science , paradigm shift , public policy , policy transfer , management science , public administration , economics , epistemology , computer science , knowledge management , law , biochemistry , chemistry , philosophy
Contemporary technology transfer policy consists of a mix of three different and often contradictory paradigms. The National Defense Paradigm, the National Competitiveness Technology Transfer Paradigm, and the Global Economy Technology Transfer Paradigm. This paper explores technology transfer policies from the outlook of each of the three differing paradigms. The argument is made that, while the National Competitiveness Paradigm is the current dominant paradigm, to a certain extent the other two paradigms guide contemporary decision makers. The fact that each of the three paradigms continues to inform policy making is problematic because of the contradictions between and among them. Overlapping paradigms result in muddled thinking and confused public policy. Clear thinking about policy assumptions and problem definitions should also help decision makers formulate and implement better technology policy today and in the future.