Potentials and Limitations of Technology Transfer in the Development Co-Operation, Shown for the Transfer of Information Technology

Abstract

The Paper shows that Information Technology (IT) is the driving force of a large part of current developments both in industrialised countries and in the developing world. Transfer of know-how and experiences is essential.

Transfer through technical co-operation has to be done with consideration of the target environment, i.e. the conditions in which the technology shall be applied: The technology has to be transferred in an appropriate context in order to fit to the available resources and needs, and thus to be sustainable.

With a successful IT transfer, developing countries can participate at the benefits of IT, can create jobs, increase the prosperity and through use and access to knowledge and information can improve the efficiency and transparency of their political systems.