Indigenous Technological Capability in Developing Countries: A Preliminary Approach to Identification

There are two important issues, though closely related, whichfollow from technology transfers. One of these refers to theappropriateness of imported technology to the recipient countries andthe other one refers to the development of indigenous technologicalcapability. The first issue has already attracted close attention from anumber of people including the present author.' So far as the issue ofindigenous technological capability in less developed countries (LDCs)is concerned, a major discussion centering round the topic took place ata conference held at the Centre of African Studies, University ofEdinburgh, in May-June 1982.2 Although a number of important areas weredebated in the above conference, no attempt was made to make anymeasurement of ITC achievement in LDCs, the theme of the present paper.In an earlier article, the author had an opportunity to makeobservations on the use of indigenous and imported technologies in Eastand West Africa. The present article while making general observationson ITC achievement in developing countries will, however, make specificreferences to three countries of the Indian sub-continent-India,Pakistanand Banglades