| The problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between decision makers' capability profiles, criteria used for strategic choice of technology, objectives of technology acquisition, and the success of technology transfer to firms in less developed countries. This study investigated these relationships from the vantage point of the recipient firms in Yemen.;Method. A descriptive correlational study was conducted. Top managers were interviewed from a selected sample of 45 private and mixed manufacturing firms of different industries in Yemen, using a structured instrument.;Data were collected from firms that acquired technologies between 1980 and 1988. Data were collected on: the participants in the choice making, technology suppliers, environmental characteristics, markets and competition, strategy, resources, objectives, and performances of firms.;Results. The study's hypotheses were tested and evaluated utilizing Pearson's correlations, t-tests, and multiple regression analysis. The findings of the study established that: (1) Firms that had more organizational units participating in their strategic choices of technology were more successful in technology transfer than other firms. (2) Firms that had technology choice decisions made by top level managers who possessed high-quality capability profiles were more successful in their technology transfer than other firms. (3) Firms ascribing greater importance to the five strategic choices of technology criteria in their decision-making (technology environment-fit, technology market/competition-fit, technology strategy-fit, technology resources-fit, and technology supplier-acceptability) were more successful in their technology transfer than firms that did not. (4) Firms that chose technologies with characteristics that fit the criteria of strategic choice of technology were more successful in their technology transfer than firms that did not. (5) Firms that had clear objectives for their technology acquisitions and made estimates of expected results showed better success in their technology transfer than firms that did not. |
