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Cranfield University Rashid Ali Al-Saadi Effectiveness CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY RASHID ALI AL-SAADI EFFECTIVENESS OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF QATAR DEFENCE COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY PhD THESIS CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY DEFENCE COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY ANALYSIS PhD DISSERTATION Academic Year 2006-2007 RASHID ALI MOHD AL-SAADI Effectiveness of Technology Transfer in the Search for Sustainable Development: the Case of Qatar Supervisor: Professor Ronald Matthews January 2010 Word Count: 83,674 © Cranfield University 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright owner. ABSTRACT The Emir of Qatar firmly believes that security without development is not sustainable in the long run. Endorsed by Qatar’s top leadership, this conviction has spread contagiously to all corners of the public and private spheres, leading, in turn, to numerous initiatives and massive investments directed at the development of the country. Sustainable development investments in Qatar are promising, but the process is very slow amidst dynamic globalization. Technology capability is a key factor in accelerating the growth of economic, social and environmental development. Hence, the aim of this dissertation is to assess the effectiveness of technology transfer in Qatar's search for sustainable development. The scope of the dissertation is confined to an analysis of certain government agencies involved in technology transfer; the government, the industry and R&D centres. The study developed a framework of measures to assess Qatari technology transfer and sustainable development, categorized into nine themes, including sustainable development, governance and internal environment, external technology resources, internal technology resource measures, absorptive capacity, value chain, value network, research and development and competitiveness. Through exploratory, descriptive and predictive research using qualitative and quantitative field surveys, along with secondary research, the study developed a framework of measures, and used it to assess the effectiveness of sustainability and technology transfer in Qatar. The study concluded that the technology transfer environment and practices in Qatar are ineffective in advancing the search for sustainable development. The study recommends the need to establish policies and priorities to facilitate sustainable development, focusing especially on technology, science and innovation. Future research should focus on in-depth case studies of specific industrial clusters as well as deepening the understanding of thematic measures of sustainability. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation has given me the greatest satisfaction I have had in my career. Finally, what I have proactively pursued for years is achieved. It has allowed me to pay back some of the nurturing debt I owe to my dearest country –Qatar. It has also added a great deal of breadth and depth to my awareness. Without the efforts of many, this work would not have been accomplished. I owe my gratitude to all participants, most of whom became close associates, from Carnegie Mellon University, General Secretariat for Development Planning, ictQatar, Industries Qatar, Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, Qatar Fertilizing Company, Qatar Petrochemical Company, QChem, Qatar Electricity & Water Co, Qatar Fuel Additive Company, Qatar Gas, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Qatar Steel Company, Qatar University, Qatar Vinyl Company Ltd, RasGas Company Limited, Supreme Education Council, and lastly Texas A&M University. Special thanks are forwarded to the General Secretariat for Development Planning staff who supported with advice, information and statistics. Thanks are due to all Cranfield University staff for providing excellent services. I wish to record and express my exceptional gratitude to the guidance, inspiration and support of my supervisor, Professor Ron Matthews whom I respect for his professional knowledge, experience and values. These combined with his thoughtful advice, compelled me to pursue the highest possible standards. May God Bless All, Amen. ii CONTENTS Page CHAPTER ONE: Beyond Technology Transfer: Making the Case for a Study of Qatari Technological Development 1.1 Obstacle to Sustainable Development in Qatar 1.1 1.2 The Importance of Technology 1.3 1.3 Three Eras of Economic Development 1.5 1.4 Analysis of the Three Eras 1.9 1.5 Aim 1.14 1.6 Objectives 1.15 1.7 Value of Study 1.15 1.8 Study Methodology 1.16 1.9 Research Methodology 1.20 1.9.1 Purpose of the Research 1.26 1.9.2 Reliability and Validity in Quantitative Research 1.28 1.9.3 Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research 1.29 1.9.4 Research Validity 1.30 1.10 Research Approach 1.33 1.10.1 Research Access 1.35 1.10.2 Ethical Concerns 1.36 1.10.3 Selecting Samples 1.37 1.10.4 Using Secondary Data 1.37 1.10.5 Primary Data 1.38 1.11 Structure of the Dissertation 1.40 References and Notes 1.42 CHAPTER TWO: Gauging the Effectiveness of Technology Transfer 2.1 Introduction 2.1 2.2 The Concept of Sustainable Development 2.1 2.2.1 Measuring Sustainable Development and Technology Transfer 2.2 2.2.2 Selection Criteria for Indicators 2.3 iii 2.2.3 Environmental Indicators of Sustainability 2.4 2.2.4 Economic Measures of Sustainability 2.5 2.2.5 Socio-Political Measures of Sustainability 2.7 2.3 Technology Transfer 2.8 2.3.1 Innovation and Technology Transfer Process 2.10 2.3.2 Common Barriers to Technology Transfer 2.11 2.3.3 Technology Transfer Effectiveness 2.12 2.3.4 Purpose of Measures 2.12 2.4 Analysis: Building a Technology Transfer Effectiveness Framework 2.15 2.4.1 External Environment and Government Policies 2.16 2.4.2 External Technology and Resources 2.21 2.4.3 Research and Development 2.26 2.4.4 Competition’s Impact on Technology Transfer 2.32 2.4.5 Absorptive Capacity 2.35 2.4.6 Value Chain and Technology Transfer 2.39 2.4.7 Value Network and Technology Transfer 2.41 2.5 Summary: Technology Transfer Measures 2.44 References and Notes 2.46 CHAPTER THREE: Technology Transfer in Qatar 3.1 Introduction 3.1 3.2 The Urgent Need to Develop a Technology Transfer Strategy 3.2 3.3 Sustainable Development in Qatar 3.4 3.3.1 Analysis of Qatar’s Sustainable Development Indicators 3.7 3.3.2 Social Indicators 3.7 3.3.3 Economic Indicators 3.9 3.3.4 Environmental Indicators 3.11 3.4 Government Policies 3.13 3.4.1 Industrial Policy 3.15 3.5 Qatar Internal Environment 3.16 iv 3.5.1 Political Environmnet: Peace and Security 3.16 3.5.2 Economic Environment 3.17 3.5.3 Social Environment 3.22 3.5.4 Technological Environment 3.32 3.5.5 Legal Environment 3.34 3.6 Absorptive Capacity, Value Chain, and Value Networks in Qatar 3.36 3.6.1 Qatar Innovation System 3.37 3.6.2 Industry and Energy Sector 3.40 3.7 University-Level Research & Development 3.46 3.8 Qatar Competitiveness 3.48 3.8 Overall Assessment 3.50 References and Notes 3.52 CHAPTER FOUR: Measuring Technology Transfer in Qatar: Fieldwork and Findings 4.1 Introduction 4.1 4.2 Data Collection 4.2 4.2.1 Assessment of Appropriate Indicators 4.5 4.2.2 Research Reliability and Validity 4.7 4.2.3 Interviews 4.10 4.3 Data Analysis 4.13 4.4 General Survey Results 4.13 4.4.1 Organizations Surveyed 4.14 4.4.2 General Survey Results 4.14 4.5 Focused Results Aligned with Technology Transfer Effectiveness Model 4.15 4.5.1 External Technology and Resources 4.15 4.5.2 Enterprise Internal Technology Transfer Measures 4.16 4.5.3 Absorptive Capacity 4.21 4.5.4 Value Chain 4.30 4.5.5 Value Network 4.38 4.5.6 Research and Development 4.42 4.5.7 Competitiveness 4.47 v 4.6 Chapter Four Summary 4.51 References and Notes 4.53 CHAPTER FIVE: QATAR: Challenges to Securing an Effective Technology Transfer System 5.1 Introduction 5.1 5.2 The Challenges to Sustainable Development in Qatar 5.2 5.3 In Search of Sustainable Development Indicators 5.4 5.3.1 Effectiveness of Qatar’s Social Sustainability Initiatives 5.7 5.3.2 Effectiveness of Qatar’s Environment Sustainability Initiatives 5.12 5.3.3 Effectiveness of Qatar’s Economic Sustainability Initiatives 5.17 5.4 Good Governance and Internal Environment Influence 5.20 5.4.1 Corporate Governance 5.25 5.5 Technology Transfer Indicators 5.27 5.5.1 External Technology and Resources 5.28 5.5.2 Internal Technology Transfer Measures 5.30 5.5.3 Absorptive Capacity 5.32 5.5.4 Value Chain 5.41 5.5.5 Value Networks 5.45 5.5.6 Research and Development 5.49 5.5.7 Competitiveness 5.50 5.6 Building the Final Picture 5.52 References and Notes 5.55 CHAPTER SIX: Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 6.1 Introduction 6.1 6.2 Main Aim and Subsidiary Objectives of the Dissertation 6.1 6.3 Research Summary 6.1 6.3.1 Sustainable Development: Summary of Secondary Research 6.3 vi 6.3.2 Technology Transfer: Summary of Secondary Research 6.5 6.3.3 Insight from the Field Survey 6.6 6.4 Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 6.8 6.4.1 Sustainable Development: Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 6.10 6.4.2 Governance and the Internal Environment: Conclusions 6.11 6.4.3 External Technology Resource: Conclusions 6.12 6.4.4 Internal Technology Resource: Conclusions 6.13 6.4.5 Absorptive Capacity: Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 6.14 6.4.6 Value Chain: Conclusions and Policy Recommendation 6.16 6.4.7 Value Networks: Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 6.17 6.4.8 Competitiveness in Qatar: Conclusions and Recommendations 6.18
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