IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/jintdv/v36y2024i4p2129-2151.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

International technology transfer to Africa in light of the SDGs: What do we know about the barriers?

Author

Listed:
  • Christian P. Schneider
  • Edeltraud Guenther
  • Dominik Möst

Abstract

International technology transfer (ITT) is commonly seen as an essential way to bridge the gap between highly advanced industrialised nations and developing countries. This gap is particularly pronounced with a view of African states. These generally have a limited capacity to cope with the effects of climate change. Therefore, foreign innovations must be successfully adopted to realities on the continent to mitigate the effects. This has sparked a growing academic interest in this topic in recent years, leading to many aspects being covered in the literature. This paper takes stock of the current state of the art, thereby asking the question: What do we know about the problems regarding international technology transfer to Africa? Employing a reproducible, transparent and clear systematic review, 73 relevant texts are identified. The barriers to more (successful) international technology transfer that these publications identify are discussed. As this review clarifies, many aspects are known, but specifics around governance aspects and institutional set‐ups are primarily bypassed in the discussion.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian P. Schneider & Edeltraud Guenther & Dominik Möst, 2024. "International technology transfer to Africa in light of the SDGs: What do we know about the barriers?," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(4), pages 2129-2151, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:36:y:2024:i:4:p:2129-2151
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.3900
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3900
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/jid.3900?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alana Corsi & Fabiane Florencio Souza & Regina Negri Pagani & João Luiz Kovaleski, 2021. "Technology transfer oriented to sustainable development: proposal of a theoretical model based on barriers and opportunities," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(6), pages 5081-5112, June.
    2. Daniel Lederman & Norman V. Loayza & Rodrigo R. Soares, 2005. "Accountability And Corruption: Political Institutions Matter," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(1), pages 1-35, March.
    3. Halvor Mehlum & Karl Moene & Ragnar Torvik, 2006. "Cursed by Resources or Institutions?," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 1117-1131, August.
    4. Hackenesch, Christine, 2009. "China and the EU’s engagement in Africa: setting the stage for cooperation, competition or conflict?," IDOS Discussion Papers 16/2009, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    5. George Mgendi & Mao Shiping & Cheng Xiang, 2019. "A Review of Agricultural Technology Transfer in Africa: Lessons from Japan and China Case Projects in Tanzania and Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-19, November.
    6. Friedlander, Lonia & Tal, Alon & Lazarovitch, Naftali, 2013. "Technical considerations affecting adoption of drip irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 125-132.
    7. Philip M. Podsakoff & Scott B. MacKenzie & Daniel G. Bachrach & Nathan P. Podsakoff, 2005. "The influence of management journals in the 1980s and 1990s," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(5), pages 473-488, May.
    8. Sumon Kumar Bhaumik & Stephen Gelb, 2005. "Determinants of Entry Mode Choice of MNCs in Emerging Markets : Evidence from South Africa and Egypt," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(2), pages 5-24, March.
    9. Mr. Lisandro Abrego & Mr. Mario de Zamaroczy & Tunc Gursoy & Garth P. Nicholls & Hector Perez-Saiz & Jose-Nicolas Rosas, 2020. "The African Continental Free Trade Area: Potential Economic Impact and Challenges," IMF Staff Discussion Notes 2020/004, International Monetary Fund.
    10. Inhorn, Marcia C., 2003. "Global infertility and the globalization of new reproductive technologies: illustrations from Egypt," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(9), pages 1837-1851, May.
    11. Paul Collier & Anke Hoeffler, 2004. "Greed and grievance in civil war," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 56(4), pages 563-595, October.
    12. Lisandro Abrego & Mario de Zamaroczy & Tunc Gursoy & Garth P. Nicholls & Hector Perez-Saiz & Jose-Nicolas Rosas, 2020. "The African Continental Free Trade Area: Potential Economic Impact and Challenges," IMF Staff Discussion Notes 20/04, International Monetary Fund.
    13. Lars-Erik Cederman & Simon Hug & Lutz F. Krebs, 2010. "Democratization and civil war: Empirical evidence," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 47(4), pages 377-394, July.
    14. Jochen Monstadt & Sophie Schramm, 2017. "Toward The Networked City? Translating Technological ideals and Planning Models in Water and Sanitation Systems in Dar es Salaam," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(1), pages 104-125, January.
    15. Okoye, Dozie & Pongou, Roland & Yokossi, Tite, 2019. "New technology, better economy? The heterogeneous impact of colonial railroads in Nigeria," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 320-354.
    16. Botchie, David & Sarpong, David & Bi, Jianxiang, 2018. "A comparative study of appropriateness and mechanisms of hard and soft technologies transfer," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 214-226.
    17. Katarzyna Andrzejczak, 2017. "Conditions For Technology Transfer In The Agriculture Of Congo Republic," Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland, vol. 43(1), March.
    18. Roberto Franzosi & Sophie Doyle & Laura McClelland & Caddie Putnam Rankin & Stefania Vicari, 2013. "Quantitative narrative analysis software options compared: PC-ACE and CAQDAS (ATLAS.ti, MAXqda, and NVivo)," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(6), pages 3219-3247, October.
    19. Chris D. Gingrich & Kara Hanson & Vianey Rweyendela & Timothy A. Piper, 2014. "Does Free Distribution Of Mosquito Nets Affect Subsidized Net Sales? Evidence From A Nationwide Campaign In Tanzania," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(6), pages 749-762, August.
    20. Lührmann, Anna & Mechkova, Valeriya & Dahlum, Sirianne & Maxwell, Laura & Olin, Moa & Petrarca, Constanza Sanhueza & Sigman, Rachel & Wilson, Matthew C. & Lindberg, Staffan I., 2018. "State of the world 2017: autocratization and exclusion?," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 25(8), pages 1321-1340.
    21. Julia Leininger & Daniel Nowack, 2022. "Protection against autocratisation: how international democracy promotion helped preserve presidential term limits in Malawi and Senegal," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(2), pages 309-331, February.
    22. Judith Carney, 1998. "Women‘s land rights in Gambian irrigated rice schemes: Constraints and opportunities," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 15(4), pages 325-336, December.
    23. J Maryann Green & Merridy Wilson & Will Cawood, 2001. "Maphephethe rural electrification (photovoltaic) programme: The constraints on the adoption of solar home systems," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(1), pages 19-30.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Christian P. Schneider, 2024. "Implementing the Resource Nexus approach: the contribution of internationalising German businesses," Sustainability Nexus Forum, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 1-13, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Geerd Wurthmann, 2006. "Working Paper 84 - Ways of Using the African Oil Boom for Sustainable Development," Working Paper Series 219, African Development Bank.
    2. Ralph de Haas & Steven Poelhekke, 2016. "Mining Matters: Natural Resource Extraction and Local Business Constraints," CESifo Working Paper Series 6198, CESifo.
    3. Timothy Besley & Torsten Persson, 2011. "Pillars of Prosperity: The Political Economics of Development Clusters," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 9624.
    4. Ngassam, Sylvain B. & Asongu, Simplice A. & Ngueuleweu, Gildas Tiwang, 2024. "A revisit of the natural resource curse in the tourism industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Roland Hodler & Paul Schaudt & Alberto Vesperoni, 2023. "Mining for Peace," CESifo Working Paper Series 10207, CESifo.
    6. Abman, Ryan & Longbrake, Gabrial, 2023. "Resource development and governance declines: The case of the Chad–Cameroon petroleum pipeline," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    7. Konte, Maty & Vincent, Rose Camille, 2021. "Mining and quality of public services: The role of local governance and decentralization," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    8. Sunde, Uwe & Fortunato, Piergiuseppe & Cervellati, Matteo, 2011. "Democratization and Civil Liberties: The Role of Violence During the Transition," CEPR Discussion Papers 8315, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    9. Mehdi Abid & Habib Sekrafi & Ramzi Farhani & Zouheyr Gheraia & Hanane Abdelli, 2024. "Do Institutional Quality and Terrorism Affect the Natural Resources Rents?," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(1), pages 76-85, January.
    10. Vittorio Daniele, 2011. "Natural Resources and the 'Quality' of Economic Development," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(4), pages 545-573.
    11. Tadadjeu, Sosson & Njangang, Henri & Asongu, Simplice A. & Kamguia, Brice, 2023. "Natural resources, child mortality and governance quality in African countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    12. Sall, Leysa Maty & Ramos, Maria Priscila, 2020. "AfCFTA: Does it fast-track structural transformation in Senegal?," Conference papers 333184, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    13. Yuki, Kazuhiro, 2021. "Modernization, social identity, and ethnic conflict," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    14. Ly Slesman & Ali Kole & Rizgar Abdlkarim Abdlaziz & Ibrahim D. Raheem, 2024. "Taming the Tides of Internal Conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Political Institutions and Natural Resources," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 16(2), pages 188-211, May.
    15. Perez Onono & Francis Omondi & Alice Mwangangi, 2024. "Impacts of Regional Integration and Market Liberalization on Bilateral Trade Balances of Selected East African Countries: Potential Implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area," Economies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, June.
    16. AfDB AfDB, 2006. "Working Paper 84 - Ways of Using the African Oil Boom for Sustainable Development," Working Paper Series 2298, African Development Bank.
    17. Nhabinde, Simeão & Heshmati, Almas, 2020. "The Extractive Industry’s impact on Economic Growth in SADC Countries," GLO Discussion Paper Series 656, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    18. Yan, Han, 2024. "Financial development, violence, and resource curse: How mineral resources are contributing towards growth of resource-rich countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    19. Lessmann, Christian & Steinkraus, Arne, 2019. "The geography of natural resources, ethnic inequality and civil conflicts," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 33-51.
    20. Ulrike Kornek & Jan Christoph Steckel & Kai Lessmann & Ottmar Edenhofer, 2017. "The climate rent curse: new challenges for burden sharing," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(6), pages 855-882, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:36:y:2024:i:4:p:2129-2151. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/5102/home .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.