Appropriate Technology in the Agrifood Public Research Institution and the Process of its Development and Transfer
Appropriate technology-is defined as highly adaptable, simple, and manageable technology that is developed for the benefit of targeted users, especially marginalised communities in the society. Literature on technology management and innovation has discussed the approaches towards assessment and...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_US |
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| Summary: | Appropriate technology-is defined as highly adaptable, simple, and manageable
technology that is developed for the benefit of targeted users, especially marginalised
communities in the society. Literature on technology management and innovation has
discussed the approaches towards assessment and the impact of appropriate technology
to users; however, there is a lack of understanding of the process of technology
development and transfer in developer organisation, specifically public research
institutions. This study selected one research institution, which is Malaysian
Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), involved in overall
development and transfer of appropriate technologies as the context of study.
Specifically, the study aims to understand the process of appropriate technology
development in the agrifood public research institution and its transfer to users. In
achieving its purpose, the study was guided by these research questions: (i) how does
appropriate technology develop in the agrifood public research institution and transfer
to users?; (ii) what are the characteristics of appropriate technology that is being
transferred?; and (iii) what are the factors that influence the development of appropriate
technology in the agrifood public research institution and transfer to users?. To guide
data collection, an interview protocol was developed based on the conceptual
framework that was underpinned by innovation theories and appropriate technology
concepts. Due to the underdeveloped nature of the research phenomenon, the study
adopted qualitative case study research methodology, and the data collection method
was semi-structured interviews with six technology generator teams from MARDI who
had successfully developed and transferred technology to users. The unit of analysis
was the research project. In analysing the data, within-case and cross-case analysis were
conducted. The study found that the process of appropriate technology development and
transfer involved the stages of research, development, deployment, and adoption - all
of which are embedded with intensive appropriation strategies. These stages are
characterised by five attributes, in which the technology concept being appropriate to
technology generator is the key. This novel finding on technology generator-centred
component in technology development and transfer process extends existing knowledge
on technology management and innovation that exclusively centered on users. The
study also found that appropriate technology is characterised by the use of local
resources, contains user empowerment features, and is safety compliance. Systemic and
individual or team are two influential factors that enable successful appropriate
technology development and transfer. This new understanding benefits the agrifood
public research institution by assisting the development and transfer of more appropriate
technologies in the future. |
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