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Building absorptive capacity in less developed countries The case of Tanzania

Author

Listed:
  • Szogs, Astrid

    (CIRCLE, Lund University)

  • Chaminade, Cristina

    (CIRCLE, Lund University)

  • Azatyan, Ruzana

    (Lund University)

Abstract

African countries lag clearly behind developed countries when it comes to accumulating technological capabilities, upgrading and catching up. Also, firms in least developed countries are characterised by very low levels of absorptive capacity. It is therefore crucial to understand how this capacity can be build so that the indigenous firms can benefit from external knowledge sources. Drawing on case study material, this paper investigates the role of intermediate organizations in facilitating technological knowledge transfer between the university and the indigenous SMEs, discussing how capabilities are built during such intermediation. Particularly, we discuss the role of NGOs facilitating the transfer of knowledge between universities and SMEs in Tanzania and the accumulation of new technological capabilities (absorptive capacity) in the latter.

Suggested Citation

  • Szogs, Astrid & Chaminade, Cristina & Azatyan, Ruzana, 2008. "Building absorptive capacity in less developed countries The case of Tanzania," Papers in Innovation Studies 2008/5, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:lucirc:2008_005
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    File URL: http://wp.circle.lu.se/upload/CIRCLE/workingpapers/200805_Szogs_et_al.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Giuliani, Elisa & Bell, Martin, 2005. "The micro-determinants of meso-level learning and innovation: evidence from a Chilean wine cluster," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 47-68, February.
    2. Bengt-åke Lundvall & Patarapong Intarakumnerd & Jan Vang, 2006. "Asia’s Innovation Systems in Transition: An Introduction," Chapters, in: Bengt-Åke Lundvall & Patarapong Intarakumnerd & Jan Vang (ed.), Asia’s Innovation Systems in Transition, chapter 1, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Rajneesh Narula & John Dunning, 2000. "Industrial Development, Globalization and Multinational Enterprises: New Realities for Developing Countries," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(2), pages 141-167.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Cristina Chaminade & Ramón Padilla-Pérez, 2017. "The challenge of alignment and barriers for the design and implementation of science, technology and innovation policies for innovation systems in developing countries," Chapters, in: Stefan Kuhlmann & Gonzalo Ordóñez-Matamoros (ed.), Research Handbook on Innovation Governance for Emerging Economies, chapter 6, pages 181-204, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    2. Safora Allahy & Reza Naghizadeh & Saeed Shavvalpour & Joao Ferreira & Naser Bagheri Moghaddam, 2022. "The Nature and Geography of Knowledge Sourcing in a Developing Region: the Case of Engineering-Based Cluster," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(4), pages 3076-3102, December.
    3. Deusdedit Rwehumbiza & Marin A. Marinov, 0. "Development of entrepreneurial orientation of export manufacturers from emerging economies," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-23.
    4. Deusdedit Rwehumbiza & Marin A. Marinov, 2020. "Development of entrepreneurial orientation of export manufacturers from emerging economies," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 667-689, June.
    5. Chaminade, Cristina & Intarakumnerd, Patarapong & Sapprasert, Koson, 2012. "Measuring systemic problems in National Innovation Systems. An application to Thailand," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(8), pages 1476-1488.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Systems of innovation; absorptive capacity; Tanzania; innovation; NGOs;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General

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