Pitfalls in technology transfer: Kenya's construction industry

Abstract

Tremendous growth in technology adoption by developing countries is evidenced by the large number of hardware and software imports in engineering, medicine and telecommunications. Although each import carries with it both process and management technology, very little is done to adapt the attendant management styles to suit the cultural and environmental conditions in the developing countries. This paper discusses how rigid management organizations structures and tendering procedures can stifle the growth of a locally controlled construction industry in a developing country. It traces the unsuccessful efforts by the Kenyan government to directly intervene in the transfer of technology by enacting well intentioned but difficult to implement legislation.